Archive · 29 Oct 2025
BJP Councillor's Bouncer Escort During Chhath Puja Sparks Controversy
Imagine a lady who is a local leader, Anita, celebrating a special religious festival called Chhath Puja by the river.
To show she was very serious about her promise to God, she did a special act of atonement, which involves lying down and getting up to move forward.
What looked unusual was that she had people who looked like bodyguards with her.
Many people wondered why a leader needed such protection during a big religious gathering with lots of other people.
Anita said she didn't hire the guards herself; a festival organizing group did it to help manage the crowd.
The city's mayor thought it was not a good look and that leaders should be more mature.
Some people saw a video and the local political party is looking into it.
BJP Councillor Anita Mahato performed Chhath Puja rituals with security guards in Siliguri.
The incident occurred on the banks of the Mahananda river during the Chhath Puja celebrations.
Mahato stated the bouncers were arranged by a local puja committee, not by her.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb criticized the councillor's need for personal security during the event.
The optics of the security arrangement sparked discussion and criticism in political circles.
- Who
- Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) Councillor Anita Mahato (BJP)
- What
- Performed religious rituals (dandi penance) for Chhath Puja while escorted by bouncers or private security guards, sparking controversy.
- When
- Tuesday morning
- Where
- Banks of the Mahananda river in Ganganagar, Siliguri
- Why
- Councillor Mahato stated she had promised to follow Chhath Puja rituals if elected; the bouncers were reportedly arranged by a local puja committee for crowd management and safety, though their presence drew criticism.
Councillor Anita Mahato
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb
Reason for Bouncers
Councillor Anita Mahato
Mahato stated that the bouncers were arranged by the Chhath Puja committee number two of Ganganagar, not by her, and that their purpose was crowd management and ensuring her safe movement.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb
Mayor Deb questioned the necessity of such escort for a public representative during a religious event attended by thousands of devotees, suggesting a lack of maturity.
Optics of Security at Religious Site
Councillor Anita Mahato
Mahato performed her penance and rituals as promised to 'Chhathi Maiya' for serving the people, unfazed by the attention her security detail attracted.
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb
Deb commented that no other devotees required such escorts, implying the bouncers were an unnecessary and questionable display at a place of worship during a collective celebration.
- Councillor Name
- Anita Mahato
- Political Party
- BJP
- Ward Number
- Ward 5
- Location
- Ganganagar, Siliguri
- Event
- Chhath Puja
- Religious Ritual Performed
- Dandi (act of atonement)