12 hrs ago
Kolkata Ganesh Puja Pandals Reflect Bengal’s Political and Cultural Shift
Ganesh Puja is being celebrated in many parts of Kolkata.
Some groups are decorating their pandals with messages about Bengal’s culture and politics.
The Janbazar pandal includes pictures of Durga and Gopal Mukherjee.
Its organisers say these symbols represent a changed Bengal.
Other pandals have highlighted Bengali language, public protests and health safety.
Some organisers say their themes are not political.
The festival’s main day is Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday.
Rain has worried organisers, but sweet shops are busy selling laddus and modaks.
Several puja committees are also donating food, clothes or organising blood donation camps.
Kolkata’s Ganesh Puja pandals are increasingly using themes linked to politics, social issues and Bengali identity.
The Janbazar puja features an image of Durga and a half-bust of Gopal Mukherjee, and was inaugurated by Samik Bhattacharya.
Organisers at Janbazar described the displays as representing a “changed Bengal” and said their budget had doubled to more than ₹7 lakh.
Past themes have included protests over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people, the RG Kar rape-murder case and Covid safeguards.
Despite the political themes, some organisers, including the Kasba committee, said their pandals were not political; pujas also include charity activities.
- Who
- Ganesh Puja committees and organisers across Kolkata, including groups in Janbazar, Anwar Shah Road, Kasba, Bhowanipore and Behala.
- What
- Ganesh Puja pandals are using religious, cultural, social and political themes, while also organising charitable activities.
- Where
- Across Kolkata, West Bengal, including Janbazar, Anwar Shah Road, Kasba, Bhowanipore and Behala.
- When
- This year, with Ganesh Chaturthi falling on Monday; several pujas were inaugurated on Saturday and Sunday.
- Why
- Organisers are expressing views about Bengal’s cultural identity and political changes, while others say they are simply introducing annual themes or serving the community.
Political and Cultural Expression
Nonpolitical Community Celebration
Meaning of the pandals
Political and Cultural Expression
Janbazar organisers say the Durga image and Gopal Mukherjee tribute represent a changed Bengal and a new political and cultural direction. Earlier pandals also used themes supporting Bengali identity and protesting alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people.
Nonpolitical Community Celebration
The Kasba committee said there was no politics in its lotus-themed pandal and that it simply incorporates a theme each year.
Political associations
Political and Cultural Expression
The Janbazar organisers said they had previously been unable to honour Gopal Mukherjee because of political pressure, while the puja was inaugurated by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Samik Bhattacharya.
Nonpolitical Community Celebration
The Anwar Shah Road organisers’ earlier Bengali-identity theme was viewed as close to the erstwhile ruling party, but the account also notes that puja organisers have different political associations and perspectives.
Key facts
- Janbazar theme
- The pandal includes an image of Durga and a half-bust of Gopal Mukherjee.
- Janbazar inauguration
- State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya inaugurated the puja on Sunday evening.
- Janbazar budget
- The committee’s budget is more than ₹7 lakh, twice the previous year’s budget.
- Main festival day
- Ganesh Chaturthi is on Monday.
- Charity activities
- Pujas across the city include blood donation camps and distributions of meals and clothes.
- Behala initiative
- The Behala puja plans to distribute clothes to about 500 underprivileged people on Tuesday.
- Weather
- Persistent rain and overcast conditions have concerned organisers, with light to moderate rain expected on Monday.
Quotes
Ashish Sharma
Vice-president of the Janbazar Sri Sri Ganesh Puja Utsav Committee and a BJP supporter
“Bappa is worshipped before embarking on a new journey. This is a parivartit (changed) Bengal. The state has embarked on a new journey by voting a nationalist government into power. Through Ganapati, we want to invite Ma Durga into this changed Bengal.”
telegraphindia.com
“We wanted to honour him in the past but could not because of political pressure.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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