The Evolving Kolkata: A Fear for the Future

The author, born and raised in Kolkata, recalls a city where religious differences were largely irrelevant. Growing up, they attended festivals of all religions, ate at each other's homes, and never knew the caste of their friends or neighbors. This inclusive atmosphere was not unique to their family but was a characteristic of Kolkata's culture, which celebrated coexistence rather than concession.

The city's diversity is evident in its festivals, which are civic events open to all, and in its neighborhoods like Bowbazar, where people of different faiths live harmoniously. The author fears that this inclusive spirit is threatened by recent political changes. The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections saw the BJP, which campaigned on religious polarization, gain a significant vote share. The author worries that the conditions that allowed them to grow up without carrying their religion as a badge are being dismantled.

The author predicts that if the current trends continue, the next generation will not inherit the Kolkata they knew. Festivals will still exist, but their meaning will change. The unselfconscious coexistence of different communities may give way to suspicion and disengagement. The author calls on readers to document changes, track textbooks and cultural events, and make a conscious choice to make room for one another.