In Kolkata, Amit Shah inaugurates Ram Mandir-themed Durga Puja Pandal
With Durga Puja being around the corner, Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Monday. He said that he’d pray Maa Durga to end “corruption and atrocities” in West Bengal.
The Ram temple themed durga pandal that Shah inaugurated is located at Santosh Mitra Square in north Kolkata. The pandal had drawn inspiration from the under-construction Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Union Home minister had inaugurated Puja Pandal in 2021 at the time of assembly elections in the state which was virtually attended by PM Modi.
It was during the inauguration that Shah prayed for corruption and atrocities to come to an end. He also praised the organizers of the pandal design which was in resemblance to the Ram Temple that is under construction in Ayodhya.
Shah notably said that the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is set to be inaugurated in January. “However, the people of Kolkata have already celebrated the temple’s inauguration through this Durga Puja pandal. I extend my congratulations to all of you for this remarkable effort”, he added.
The Trinamool Congress leadership taunted Shah by pointing out that the ones who once alleged that Durga Puja festivities were not allowed in West Bengal are now rushing to the state to inaugurate pandals.
TMC Member of Parliament, Santanu Sen, commented, “Those who previously criticized the traditions and culture of West Bengal, claiming that permission was denied for Durga Puja celebrations, are now visiting the state to inaugurate pandals.”
Sen suggested that before propagating “baseless accusations” against West Bengal, Shah should examine the “deteriorating” law and order situation in BJP-governed states, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
Back in 2019, Shah had inaugurated a communal Durga Puja in Salt Lake, situated on the eastern outskirts of the city. The West Bengal BJP launched its own Durga Puja festivities in 2020, becoming the first and only political party in the state to do so. Subsequent celebrations took place in 2021 and 2022. However, the state’s BJP announced last year that it would no longer be organizing the puja starting from 2023.