2 days ago
New Bengal Puja Body Challenges VIP Culture, Forum
A new group called the Durgapuja Samannay Samity has started working with Durga Puja organisers.
It wants organisers from many places to work under one platform.
The group says smaller Pujas have been overlooked while large Pujas received more attention.
It also says people should not be able to buy special VIP passes for Puja events.
Several BJP leaders are connected with the new group.
They say Puja should not be used to promote particular leaders.
More than 750 organisers are said to have joined the Samity.
The older Forum for Durgotsav says it includes people from different political backgrounds and focuses only on Puja matters.
The Durgapuja Samannay Samity was officially announced to unite Durga Puja organisers in Bengal, elsewhere in India and abroad.
The committee says it wants to support small and medium organisers and end paid VIP passes and special cards.
BJP leaders associated with the Samity said Durga Puja should be celebrated in a universal, “Sanatani” way without promoting particular leaders.
The Samity says more than 750 Puja organisers have joined, including organisers from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune.
Some organisers describe the Samity as an alternative to the Forum for Durgotsav, whose members deny that the Forum is political.
- Who
- The Durgapuja Samannay Samity, its organisers and associated BJP leaders; the Forum for Durgotsav also responded through one of its members.
- What
- A new committee was launched to bring Durga Puja organisers under one platform and oppose VIP culture and the promotion of a few large Pujas.
- Where
- The initiative is based in Bengal and seeks participation from districts, other Indian cities and countries abroad.
- When
- The Samity was officially announced on Wednesday, several weeks before Bengal’s Durga Puja celebrations.
- Why
- Its members say small and medium Puja organisers face discrimination and that devotion should not depend on a Puja’s budget.
Durgapuja Samannay Samity
Forum for Durgotsav
Purpose and representation
Durgapuja Samannay Samity
The Samity says it will unite organisers, give greater recognition to district and smaller Pujas, and end the promotion of a handful of big-budget celebrations.
Forum for Durgotsav
A Forum member says the Forum is a platform for Puja organisers rather than a political entity, with members from different political affiliations.
Political role
Durgapuja Samannay Samity
Samity members present the group as an alternative to what they describe as the Forum’s association with Trinamool leaders and say they do not want to politicise Durga Puja.
Forum for Durgotsav
The Forum member says its discussions are limited to Durga Puja, despite members having different political affiliations.
VIP culture and branding
Durgapuja Samannay Samity
The Samity says it will not issue paid VIP passes or special cards and wants Pujas to stop being identified with particular leaders.
Forum for Durgotsav
The articles do not report a direct response from the Forum on VIP passes or branding.
Key facts
- New organisation
- Durgapuja Samannay Samity
- Chairman
- Monk Kartik Maharaj
- President
- Rudranil Ghosh, BJP MLA from Shibpur in Howrah
- Reported membership
- More than 750 Puja organisers
- Stated policy
- No VIP passes or special cards for Durga Puja against money
- Participation sought
- Organisers from Bengal, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune and countries abroad
- Existing organisation
- Forum for Durgotsav
Quotes
Rudranil Ghosh
BJP MLA from Shibpur and president of the Durgapuja Samannay Samity
“Puja lovers are fed up with the VIP culture and branding. No Puja will be known as a particular Dada’s any longer. Durga Puja will be truly universal now.”
telegraphindia.com
“This Samity will not issue VIP passes or special cards for Durga Puja against money. We want to do away with the VIP culture.”
telegraphindia.com
A Forum member
Member of the Forum for Durgotsav
“Members of different political affiliations are part of the Forum, but discussions are limited to Durga Puja.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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