Mumbai gears up for Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi

Agencies

Mumbai, 11 September 2010: This year, coincidentally, both Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on the same day. The city has geared up to celebrate both the festivals with equal fervour. However, heavy security has been installed outside places like Chisti Hindustani Masjid at Byculla as this place happens to be a very sensitive location.

 

On one side of this narrow, busy street, there is conservative Gujarati Jain garment traders while on the opposite side there are staunch Muslims and a mosque. Less than two decades ago, riots tore apart this locality. The memory hasn’t faded yet. But this year with both Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi falling on the same day residents are looking forward to a unique celebration.

 

Kishore Jain, a garment dealer in this area said, “We have always been here, and they celebrate their way, we celebrate our way.” As every year the famous Lalbaugcha Raja will make a stop at this mosque, while on his way to immersion. Satish Khankar, President, Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal gushed, “We are happy when they celebrate our festival and greet Ganesha as he comes along.”

 

 

 

However, for many of the residents, a deep-rooted suspicion continues to divide the two communities. Rafique Baghdadi, a Muslim resident said, “Outsiders sometimes incite tension, but we don’t care about what they have to say anymore.” But during the festive season, there’s one common activity both these communities indulge in, the delicious food.

 

Modaks for Ganeshotsav, or malpuas for Eid. Both will be in high demand this weekend. The bigger the better. Hindu-Muslim unity may be an acquired taste, but when it comes to the menu this Saturday, religion has no boundaries.