Kolkata Janmashtami festival shifts to Hindu-only organizing committee

A long-standing Janmashtami celebration in the Mominpore area of Kolkata is undergoing a significant organizational shift. For 58 years, the festival has been characterized by multicultural participation, having been founded by a Muslim social worker, Md Kashim, and traditionally involving both Hindu and Muslim community members.

However, BJP leader Rakesh Singh has taken charge of the organizing committee and announced that this year's event will be organized exclusively by Hindus. Singh stated that while people of other religions are welcome to visit the festivities, the religious activities must be protected and managed by Hindus alone.

Local Trinamool Congress members expressed disappointment over the change, noting that since 2011, approximately half of the committee members had been Muslim. The shift follows instructions from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to maintain spiritual purity within the festival's core cultural practices.