Is 'Operation Sindoor' the Theme for This Year’s Popular Durga Puja in Kolkata?
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Synopsis
This year's Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata, led by BJP leader Sajal Ghosh, will center around 'Operation Sindoor,' a significant military operation against terror camps. Explore the political implications and community responses surrounding this theme.
Key Takeaways
- Operation Sindoor will be the theme for this year's Durga Puja.
- The event is organized by BJP leader Sajal Ghosh.
- The committee has refused state funding for the festival.
- Political controversies surround the chosen theme.
- Santosh Mitra Square stands out among Durga Pujas for its independence from the ruling party.
Kolkata, June 16 (NationPress) Operation Sindoor -- the recent cross-border military operation conducted by Indian armed forces against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir -- will serve as the focal point of this year’s Durga Puja festivities at the renowned Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata. The celebration is being organized by BJP leader and local councillor Sajal Ghosh.
Ghosh, who represents Ward 50 in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and is the chief organizer of the Santosh Mitra Square Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samiti, revealed the theme via a social media announcement.
Continuing a trend from previous years, the committee has chosen to decline the annual financial support offered by the West Bengal government to community puja organizers. Santosh Mitra Square was among the pioneering Durga Puja committees in the state to reject this funding, with Ghosh deeming it a misuse of public finances at a time when the government is grappling with essential civic obligations.
In the previous year, numerous other puja committees also opted against the grant, pointing to public outrage following the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, along with alleged attempts at a cover-up by some administrative sectors.
The theme for 2023 was the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which saw the attendance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the celebrations.
Santosh Mitra Square distinguishes itself as one of the few significant Durga Pujas in West Bengal that remains independent from the ruling Trinamool Congress. It is the only major festival in the state led by a BJP figure and has rivaled TMC-led pujas in both scale and public attendance.
The adoption of Operation Sindoor as this year’s theme has already ignited political debates. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has recently claimed that the name is politically charged, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of leveraging it to “market sindoor” for electoral advantage.
In retaliation, BJP leaders have accused the Chief Minister of promoting narratives aligned with Pakistani interests.
Point of View
The decision to center this year's Durga Puja around 'Operation Sindoor' reflects the current political climate and the community's desire to assert its identity amidst ongoing debates. It's crucial to acknowledge the diverse viewpoints surrounding this theme while recognizing the cultural significance of the festival to the people of Kolkata.
NationPress
16/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme of this year's Durga Puja in Kolkata?
This year's Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square will focus on 'Operation Sindoor,' which relates to a recent military operation against terror camps in Pakistan.
Who is organizing the Durga Puja at Santosh Mitra Square?
The Durga Puja is organized by BJP leader and local councillor Sajal Ghosh.
Why did the Santosh Mitra Square committee reject government funding?
The committee declined the West Bengal government's financial grant, citing concerns over the misuse of public funds amid pressing civic needs.
What was the theme of last year's Durga Puja?
The theme for last year was the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which included the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
What are the political implications of the chosen theme?
The selection of 'Operation Sindoor' has sparked political controversy, with accusations of electoral motivation and claims of echoing Pakistani narratives.
