What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Whether it is sheer coincidence or by design, the Durga puja organised by All India Hindu Mahasabha in South Kolkata has sparked an outrage with its representation of Mahisasur, which bears a strong resemblance to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
The puja pandals of Kolkata have always been the talk of the town for their themes that touch on the happenings around us. But circa 2022, puja committees treaded an edgy path with their themes.
From Maa Durga as Ardhnarishwar to highlighting the lives of sex workers, puja committees in Kolkata appeared to have pushed their boundaries to draw the crowd as festivities returned after a gap of two years – due to COVID-induced restrictions.
Whether it is sheer coincidence or by design, the Durga puja organised by All India Hindu Mahasabha in South Kolkata has sparked an outrage with its representation of Mahisasur, which bears a strong resemblance to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
As the controversy gathered pace, Kolkata police made the organisers make some changes – like adding hair and moustache – to make the idol look more like Mahisasur.
The resemblance is just a coincidence, said Chandrachur Goswami, working president of the West Bengal state unit of All India Hindu Mahasabha.
“There’s a controversy regarding the representation of Asur that bears a resemblance to Gandhi’s face. It is a coincidence,” Goswami said. “However, we do not believe in Gandhian policies and completely blame him for the division that led to the excruciating suffering of people,” he added.
Goswami explained the theme of their puja pandal, “Our theme is shaktirupenna samsthithaa. Our ideology is a corruption-free India. We want a break from Gandhian policies, i.e., Gandhi Mukt Bharat. We do not believe that only one party has the right to call itself thekedar of Sanatani Dharma. Every political party has to remain committed to our motherland.”
The attempt by the Hindu Mahasabha to portray ‘Gandhiji’ as Mahisasur was criticised by everyone, with political leaders cutting across party lines joining in the debate.
The ruling Trinamool Congress has stated that such an incident is an insult to the Father of the Nation and every citizen of the country. Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that such representation and subsequent politicisation are in extremely bad taste and should be condemned.
But despite the criticism, it is hard to ignore the fact that even after 75 years of independence, the partition of Bengal remains a touchy subject in the state. It will be interesting to see if the topic gathers pace as the election season nears.
