Kalo Theke Shada: Mother Teresa and the Changing Refugee Governance of Kolkata

This essay examines the transformative role of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in reshaping refugee rehabilitation in Calcutta (now Kolkata) during the mid-20th century, particularly in the aftermath of the Bengal Partition. Focusing on the period following Teresa’s "second call," when she left the Loreto convent to found the Missionaries of Charity and establish the Nirmal Hriday hospice in Kalighat, the paper explores how she redefined humanitarian efforts in a city associated with poverty, displacement, and pollution.

Kalighat, a site historically linked to the Shakti tradition and the goddess Kali, symbolizing death and destruction, became a sanctuary for the sick and dying under Teresa’s care. Through her mission, Teresa sought to rearticulate the protective qualities of Kali, blending elements of Hindu revivalism with her Christian mission. In doing so, she dissolved caste barriers, offering care to all, and expanded individual spiritual realization into a collective, humanitarian exercise. Teresa’s approach contrasted with Christian theology, which often prioritized otherworldly salvation over social concerns. Her mission embraced a practical, compassionate engagement with society, integrating the aspirations of new religious movements and bringing them into dialogue with humanitarian care.

Using Teresa’s archived letters and extensive scholarship on her work, the essay argues that her approach led to a shift in governmental and legal responses to refugee rehabilitation. Moving beyond land-based strategies, her model emphasized care, asylum, and dignity for the displaced, challenging the male-dominated frameworks of the time.

By critically analyzing Teresa’s spiritual leadership and its intersection with social and political change, the paper provides new insights into her impact on refugee rehabilitation. It also reflects on how her Catholic strategies were adapted to navigate the communal tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities, creating a new humanitarian paradigm in a time of profound crisis.