2 hrs ago
Eleven-Handed Durga Advertisement Sparks Political Row in West Bengal
A government-related advertisement in West Bengal showed Goddess Durga with 11 arms instead of 10.
This upset several opposition politicians and people on social media.
They said the picture did not respect an important Bengali religious tradition.
Trinamool Congress called it another example of the Bharatiya Janata Party mishandling Bengal’s culture.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Shatrup Ghosh also mocked the advertisement.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari apologized and said officials had been warned.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shamik Bhattacharya said the mistake was not a political issue and would be fixed.
The advertisement was connected to plans for Durga Puja events, including a Milan Mela.
A West Bengal advertisement depicted Goddess Durga with 11 arms instead of the traditional 10.
Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders criticized the image as disrespectful to Bengali culture and religious tradition.
The advertisement promoted a Milan Mela and government-related Durga Puja programs, though reports differed on its exact sponsorship and event description.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari apologized for the image and said officials had been warned to avoid such mistakes.
Bharatiya Janata Party state president Shamik Bhattacharya said Durga had become “even more powerful” and that the error would be corrected.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, and opposition leaders from the Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- What
- An advertisement showed Goddess Durga with 11 arms instead of 10, triggering criticism and an apology.
- Where
- West Bengal, with the cited meeting planned at Milan Mela and other programs proposed for Kolkata, Digha, and Eden Gardens.
- When
- The advertisement was released on a Monday ahead of Durga Puja 2026; another report links the promoted Milan Mela to September 7 and Mahalaya.
- Why
- Critics objected that the image altered a sacred cultural representation and showed disrespect toward Bengali traditions.
Opposition Critics
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Religious and cultural representation
Opposition Critics
Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders said showing Durga with 11 arms was disrespectful and reflected ignorance of Bengali religious traditions.
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Shamik Bhattacharya said Durga had become “even more powerful” and maintained that any agency mistake was not a political matter and would be corrected.
Handling of Bengali culture
Opposition Critics
The Trinamool Congress argued that the advertisement showed the Bharatiya Janata Party was disconnected from Bengal’s culture and was trivializing Durga Puja.
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Suvendu Adhikari said the government would uphold Bengali culture through large-scale cultural and Durga Puja-related programs.
Government accountability
Opposition Critics
Opposition leaders demanded that the incorrect depiction be removed or corrected immediately.
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Suvendu Adhikari apologized, warned officials, and said the government would be more careful.
Key facts
- Controversial detail
- Durga was depicted with 11 arms rather than the traditional 10.
- Advertisement purpose
- It promoted a Milan Mela and other Durga Puja-related government programs.
- Organizers cited
- The reports mention Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and West Bengal’s Information and Cultural Affairs Department.
- Chief minister’s response
- Suvendu Adhikari apologized and said officials had been warned.
- BJP response
- Shamik Bhattacharya said Durga had become “even more powerful” and that the mistake would be corrected.
- Opposition response
- Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders criticized or mocked the advertisement.
- Planned events
- Reports mention a major Mahalaya program at Eden Gardens, roadshows, cultural programs, and activities at Digha and Kolkata’s Ganga ghats.
Quotes
Shamik Bhattacharya
BJP state president of West Bengal
“So now, according to the @BJP4Bengal government, Maa Durga has 11 hands... Since when does Maa Durga have 11 hands? And who thought it was acceptable to represent her this way... From their leaders to the Chief Minister, this repeated mishandling of Maa Durga and Bengal's cultural traditions is deeply insulting!”
NDTV
“Maa's homecoming is sacred to millions of Bengalis. Yet a government that claims to speak for Bengal seems increasingly disconnected from Bengali culture, traditions and the festivals that define Bengal's identity.”
NDTV
Sources
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