Controversy over depiction of Mahatma Gandhi as Mahishasur in Hindu Mahasabha's pandal in Kolkata, FIR registered

After an All India Hindu Mahasabha-organized Durga Puja in Kolkata that featured "Mahisasur" as Mahatma Gandhi, controversy broke out. But according to a PTI report, under pressure from the home ministry, the puja's organisers took down the idol showing Mahatma Gandhi as Mahishasura. An FIR has been registered in this matter and police is taking necessary action.

 

According to Chandrachur Goswami, the working president of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha's West Bengal state chapter, "Gandhi is viewed as a genuine Asur. He truly is an Asur. That's why we made such an idol."

 

"Gandhi is being promoted by the central government. The statue had to be removed and we had to replace it. The Home Ministry has put pressure onto us. In an exclusive chat with India Today, Goswami stated, "We want to remove Gandhi from everywhere and highlight other freedom fighters like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and others."

 

According to the Hindu scriptures, Goddess Durga defeated Mahusura in a major battle to put an end to his wicked rule. Before taking down the post, a journalist who had tweeted what appeared to be an image of a Durga idol stated that the police had instructed her to do so because it might cause unrest during the festival.

 

The move was condemned by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state and all political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI(M) and Congress.

 

All political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI(M), and Congress, as well as the Trinamool Congress, which is currently in power in the state, decried the action.

 

The Bengal Provincial Hindu Mahasabha denounced the action. We condemn what they have done, the Bengal Provincial Hindu Mahasabha chief declared. Only to garner attention. They identify as the Hindu Mahasabha. However, we find it sad.

 

If it were truly done, according to Trinamool Congress state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, it would be sacrilege.

 

"It is disrespectful to the nation's founding father. Every person in the country is being insulted by this. What will the BJP say in response to such a slur? We are aware of the philosophy to which Gandhiji's killer belonged.

 

Notably, even the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the incident.

 

"If such a move was made, it is unfortunate. We condemn it. Sukanta Majumdar, the state president of the BJP, told PTI that what transpired was "extremely wrong."

The Durga Puja organisers select a theme each year, usually a societal issue, and use their pandals, idols, and lighting systems to represent it. The traditional Mahishasura was occasionally supplanted by a symbol of social evil. The objective of which is to raise awareness of social issues or other evils among those attending the pandal.