“Festivals are meant to spread love, not hatred.” On the day of tension-gripped Ram Navami festival in West Bengal, the powerful message of peace and unity came from Imam Imdadullah Rashid of Noorani Masjid in West Burdwan’s Asansol, who once bore the unthinkable loss of his son during communal violence in 2018.
Rashid’s 16-year-old son, Sibagatullah Rashid, a Class-X student, lost his life during communal tensions that broke out on Ram Navami in March 2018. The violence, which began in Raniganj, quickly spread to Asansol, where homes were burned, neighborhoods were torn apart and lives were changed forever.
But in that moment of heartbreak, Rashid chose the path of peace. Despite the loss of his only son, he did not seek vengeance. He did not testify against any accused in court. Instead, he walked through the streets, stood on railway tracks and made a desperate appeal to the people of Asansol: “Let no other child be lost in the fire of revenge.”
His words — spoken not with anger, but with pain and love — moved the city. Asansol calmed down, and the violence was halted, not by force, but by the courage and compassion of a grieving father.
Now, in 2025, as Ram Navami returns, so do fears of renewed unrest. Allegations have surfaced that political forces are attempting to weaponise the festival, raising concerns among peace-loving citizens of Asansol. But Imam Rashid’s message remains the same.
“Eid has just passed, and people celebrated with happiness and harmony,” he said, adding, “That is the true spirit of this country — where everyone celebrates every festival together. Ram Navami too should be marked with joy and peace.”
Refusing to dwell on the painful past, the Imam said, “What’s gone is gone. People now know that the violence was wrong. Asansol has changed and that dark day will never come again.”
With grace and resilience, Rashid is once again urging the people to embrace peace over provocation. “We must learn to be happy in each other’s religious celebrations. No one’s joy should bring sorrow to another. Let us celebrate together, with love in our hearts.”
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