A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata sparked controversy after it depicted ‘Mahisasura’ (demon) as a Mahatma Gandhi lookalike. All India Hindu Mahasabha organised a pandal where Goddess Durga is seen defeating an asura — a bald, bespectacled man in a dhoti. After pressure from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Kolkata pandal organisers changed its appearance overnight. Here’s what happened.
Kolkata Pandal Depicted ‘Asura’ As Gandhi Lookalike
According to a report by India Today, Chandrachur Goswami ( working President of the West Bengal state unit of All India Hindu Mahasabha) revealed the asura’s resemblance with Gandhi is just ‘coincidental’. In his opinion, the ‘asura’ holds a dhal (shield). But Gandhi never carried a shield. However, Goswami stresses that Gandhi needs to be criticised.
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Changed The Appearance Overnight After Political Parties Slammed Them
In an interview with India Today, Goswami stated that they see Gandhi as the true asura. So, they created this murti (idol) to put forward their opinion. Meanwhile, political parties like Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and CPI-M slammed the Kolkata pandal. After receiving flak from and political pressure, the organisers changed the appearance of the ‘asura’ overnight. They hurriedly removed the spectacles and added an ‘asura’ wig and moustache.
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Every year, Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata choose a theme. The theme usually revolves around eradicating social evils. In order to prevent any tension during the festive season, the Ministry instructed the Kolkata pandal to change the idol.
News Source: The Indian Express
Cover Image Courtesy: @sayantan_gh/ Twitter