Senior TMC Leader Criticizes CM for Comments on Durga Puja
TMCs Sougata Roy condemns CM Suvendu Adhikaris remarks on Durga Puja, calls for unity in the festival amid recent tragedies.
Kolkata, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : Senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sougata Roy has voiced his strong objections to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s recent comments regarding the immersion of Durga idols. Speaking from Kolkata, Roy addressed various issues, including the tragic stampede at the Chorabagan Durga Puja pandal, the controversy surrounding singer Daler Mehndi in Uttarakhand, and remarks made by former Vice President Hamid Ansari.
Roy criticized Adhikari’s statement that only followers of Sanatan Dharma should touch the idols during the immersion process in the Hooghly River and other ghats. He emphasized that viewing Durga Puja through a religious lens contradicts the cultural essence of Bengal. “I have never heard a more inappropriate statement. Durga Puja is a festival for everyone. Introducing Hindutva and attempting to polarize Hindus is shameful. I condemn this,” he stated. He added that the timing and manner of idol immersion should be left to the puja committees, questioning the need for political interference.
Regarding the stampede at the Chorabagan pandal, which resulted in 19 confirmed deaths and over 25 injuries, Roy expressed deep sorrow. “In over 60 years of my life in Kolkata, I have never witnessed such a tragic event during Durga Puja. While there may have been isolated incidents, 19 deaths in one location is simply unacceptable,” he remarked.
Roy accused the police and state government of failing to manage the situation, attributing the chaos to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) interference in puja committees. “This incident is a direct consequence of their attempts to assert dominance. It is an extremely unfortunate occurrence,” he added.
On the controversy involving Uttarakhand’s Minister Subodh Uniyal and singer Daler Mehndi, Roy stated he lacked complete information but criticized the minister for allegedly labeling an artist as intoxicated on stage. “If ministers speak in such a manner, it creates challenges for performers. I fail to understand the reasoning behind such comments,” he said.
Roy supported Ansari’s statements regarding ongoing protests in the country, asserting that the former Vice President is a highly respected figure. “If he has made such comments, they warrant serious consideration. His remarks suggest that the protests are valid and stem from within the country, rather than being externally influenced,” he concluded.
