‘I apologise’: Bengal CM Adhikari after govt ad sparks row over ‘distorted’ Durga image | India News
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday apologised over a government advertisement that showed Goddess Durga with 11 arms instead of the traditional 10, saying those responsible had been cautioned and promising greater care in future.The advertisement appeared in newspapers ahead of a coordination meeting on Durga Puja preparations at Milan Mela Prangan. It carried an image of Durga with an extra arm holding an indistinct object, triggering criticism from opposition leaders.“First of all, as the chief minister of the state, I apologise. A defective advertisement was published this morning. I apologise for that. Those who issued the defective advertisement have been cautioned. The government will be more careful about such matters in future,” he said.
Opposition targets BJP government
The advertisement was issued to announce the meeting organised by Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the state information and cultural affairs department.CPIM leader Shatarup Ghosh was among those who criticised the depiction and took a swipe at the BJP government.“Gods gave Durga ten hands and weapons to kill the demon. The BJP government has given her an extra hand,” Ghosh said.TMC MLA and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also objected to the image and raised the issue with the chief minister on X.“Honourable chief minister, in the government advertisement, Maa Durga, who is traditionally depicted as ‘doshobhuja’ (ten-armed), has become ‘ekadoshbhuja’ (eleven-armed). According to the scriptures, one hand needs to be removed,” wrote TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on X.He posted a picture of the advertisement, which also featured photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adhikari alongside the image of Goddess Durga.“We hear about various codes of conduct every day. If the number of the Mother’s arms increases in 2026, the matter could become complicated. Please immediately instruct the department concerned not to distort the original depiction of the Mother Goddess,” he added.
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BJP says mistake should not be politicised
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said the problem appeared to have originated with the agency responsible for designing and publishing the advertisement.“It can be corrected. The matter should not be politicised,” Bhattacharya said when asked about the controversy.The controversy surfaced as the BJP government prepares to oversee its first Durga Puja in West Bengal, with the administration stressing the traditional character of the festival.Theme-based Puja celebrations were also discussed at Monday’s meeting. Adhikari said organisers would be free to use themes but warned them against choosing concepts that could hurt religious or cultural sentiments or undermine Sanatan traditions.The government has said the coordination meeting was intended to help ensure that Durga Puja, West Bengal’s biggest annual cultural celebration, is conducted safely and peacefully.
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