Archive · 8 Sep 2026
West Bengal Durga Ad Showing 11 Hands Sparks Political Row
A government advertisement in West Bengal showed Goddess Durga with 11 hands instead of 10.
This caused anger because Durga is traditionally shown with 10 arms.
The advertisement was connected to a Milan Mela and other Durga Puja preparations.
Trinamool Congress said the image showed disrespect for Bengali culture.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Shatarup Ghosh also made fun of the mistake.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari apologized for the wrong picture.
He said the officials involved had been warned.
BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya said Durga had become “even more powerful.”
He also said the error was not a political issue and would be fixed.
A West Bengal government advertisement depicted Goddess Durga with 11 hands instead of the traditional 10.
The advertisement promoted a Milan Mela and preparations for Durga Puja, with reports describing it as a meeting-related notice or BJP programme.
Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders criticized the image as disrespectful to Bengali religious and cultural traditions.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari apologized for the error and said the officials responsible had been warned.
Bharatiya Janata Party state president Shamik Bhattacharya said Durga had become “even more powerful” and that the mistake would be corrected.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya, and opposition leaders from the Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist).
- What
- An advertisement showed Goddess Durga with 11 hands instead of 10, prompting criticism and an apology.
- When
- The advertisement was published on a Monday ahead of Durga Puja 2026; the promoted Milan Mela was reported as scheduled for September 7, around Mahalaya.
- Where
- West Bengal, with related events planned at Milan Mela, Eden Gardens, Digha, Kolkata’s Ganga ghats, and other towns.
- Why
- Opposition leaders and critics said the altered depiction was disrespectful to Bengali religious and cultural traditions.
Opposition Critics
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Religious representation
Opposition Critics
Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders said depicting Durga with 11 hands was disrespectful and showed ignorance of religious tradition.
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Shamik Bhattacharya said Durga had become “even more powerful” and that the agency’s mistake was not a political matter.
Bengali culture
Opposition Critics
The Trinamool Congress said the advertisement reflected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s alleged disconnect from Bengal’s culture and trivialized Durga Puja.
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Suvendu Adhikari said the government would uphold Bengali culture through large-scale Durga Puja and cultural programmes.
Accountability
Opposition Critics
Opposition critics called for the incorrect depiction to be corrected and objected to its publication in a government advertisement.
Bharatiya Janata Party Response
Suvendu Adhikari apologized, warned officials, and said the government would be more careful in the future.
- Controversial image
- The advertisement showed Durga with 11 hands: five on her left, four on her right, and two holding a trident in the middle.
- Advertisement purpose
- It promoted a Milan Mela and government preparations for Durga Puja.
- Organizers named
- The reports cited Kolkata Police, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs.
- Chief minister’s response
- Suvendu Adhikari apologized, said the advertisement was erroneous, and warned the officials involved.
- BJP response
- Shamik Bhattacharya said, “Maa Durga has become even more powerful,” and said the error would be corrected.
- Opposition response
- Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders accused the government of mishandling or trivializing Bengali cultural traditions.
- Other announced events
- Plans included a Mahalaya programme at Eden Gardens, roadshows, cultural programmes, and activities in Digha and at Kolkata’s Ganga ghats.
