How Rabindranath Tagore used Raksha Bandhan as means to prevent 1905 Bengal partition | Lifestyle News, The Indian Express

How Rabindranath Tagore used Raksha Bandhan as means to prevent 1905 Bengal partition | Lifestyle News, The Indian Express

Written by Arnab Mitra |New Delhi |Updated: May 7, 2019 12:03:44 pm

How Rabindranath Tagore used Raksha Bandhan as means to prevent 1905 Bengal partition

Following Tagore's call, hundreds of Hindus and Muslims in Kolkata, Dhaka and Sylhet came out in large numbers to tie Rakhi threads as a symbol of unity. Tagore's heartland Santiniketan still follows the tradition and the university students tied Rakhi to neighbours and common people to give a message of harmony

Rabindranath Tagore deftly used the concept of brotherhood, togetherness and ‘the thread of protection’ as a medium to protest against British’s partition policy by showing a picture of unity among the two communities (File)

At a time when the country is witnessing a surge in religious intolerance, an instance from the annals of history serves as a timely reminder of religious harmony. As we celebrate Raksha Bandhan on August 26, 2018, it’s interesting to take cognizance of how more than a century ago, the concept and sentiment behind the festival was used to unite two communities, Hindus and Muslims.