Karnataka village celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi, observes Muharram under one roof

HUBBALLI: It is a challenging task for the police department to ensure an incident-free Ganesh Chaturthi when it coincides with Muharram.
However, in Bidnal village, located 4km from Hubballi, cops are a relaxed lot even when the two festivals coincide.
The residents of this village celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi and Muharram under one roof. While Hindus have installed a huge idol of Lord Ganesh, Muslims are observing their holy day in the same pandal. This rare gesture in which both communities take part is grabbing everyone's attention.
A few years ago, villagers formed Sri Gajanan Mattu Muharram Utsava Samiti, which organises both festivals.
Mohan Asundi, president of the Samiti told TOI that it was an unique celebration as it came once every 30-33 years.
“We celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi and observed Muharram under one roof in 1985. Both the festivals coincide every 30 or 33 years. People from both communities have pooled in money for the festivities. Police are not deputed for any festival in the village,” he said.
The villagers say with pride that there has been not a single incident of communal rioting in Bidnal in years.
Shariefsab Nadaf, a member of the Samiti said, “We worship the Panja in the same pandal where Lord Ganesh is worshiped. Hindu priests offer puja to Lord Ganesh while our community religious heads offer prayers to the Panja.”
Shayamraj Sajjan, inspector - Kasabapeth station, Hubballi said both Hindus and Muslims lived here harmoniously. "This village is a model for communal harmony. We have never deputed police personnel for security for any festival of both communities. There has been no reports of any communal clash in the last 40 to 50 years," he said.