Bengali Community in Mumbai Celebrates BJP's Victory with Jhalmuri and Sweets
Mumbai: Following the emergence of trends indicating a lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, members of the Bengali community residing and working in Mumbai celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm, distributing sweets as well as the popular regional snack, Jhalmuri.
In areas of Mumbai such as Zaveri Bazaar and Kalbadevi—where a large number of Bengalis are engaged in jewelry manufacturing and allied trades—an atmosphere of festivity prevailed as soon as the election trends became apparent. People were seen distributing sweets and exchanging greetings with one another, while vendors were busy selling Bengal's popular snack, Jhalmuri.
A similar scene was witnessed in Malvani, Malad—particularly around the Kali Mata Temple—where community members gathered to collectively celebrate their joy by distributing sweets.
A Bengali businessman, described this victory as a reflection of a shift in public sentiment. Expressing optimism, he stated that the new leadership would steer Bengal toward development. Probir Roy, a student, hailed the result as a triumph for the aspirations of the youth, noting that it has kindled fresh hope for employment opportunities and brighter prospects.
Ankita Chatterjee, a homemaker, remarked that she had long been yearning for political change and now looks forward to a new era of peace and development in the state, which would help alleviate the hardships faced by common citizens. An artisan, also welcomed the outcome, asserting that a change in government was essential and had been anticipated for some time.
A Bengali sweet vendor, observed that the predictions made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have proven accurate, and he expressed hope that this political transition would benefit the people of Bengal. He attributed this victory to the blessings of Goddess Kali. Some Bengalis added that many people had grown weary of Mamata Banerjee's prolonged rule and were yearning for change.
According to estimates, more than 5 lakh Bengalis reside in Mumbai, living in areas such as Chembur, Powai, Andheri East, Kandivali, and Dadar, where they are engaged in small businesses and various forms of employment. The city is also home to over 200 Durga Puja committees, while organizations such as the Bengal Club, Kolkata Club, and the Navi Mumbai Association serve as key social and cultural hubs for the community.