Kolkata, Nov. 2 -- Higher Education and Technical Education minister Jagannath Chatterjee has defended his call for Kali Puja at every police station in Bengal, saying the police must atone for an incident during the previous regime when an idol of Goddess Kali was allegedly taken away in a prison van after Kali Puja.
Chatterjee's remarks came amid criticism of his appeal, made at a police programme in Suri, Birbhum, where he urged the district police to ensure that every police station organised the Puja.
"There should be Kali Puja at every police station as an institutional practice. However, there is no need to look for any religious angle in this. Just as Saraswati Puja in schools is an integral part of Bengali culture rather than merely a religious ritual, Kali Puja at police stations is part of police culture," he had said.
Defending his remarks, Chatterjee said the proposal reflected his personal religious beliefs.
"Some people are unnecessarily trying to create a controversy. I was born into a Hindu family and have grown up with the ideology of Hindutva.
I am a believer in God. Would I speak about organising Azaan at police stations? Naturally, I spoke about organising Kali Puja at police stations, and I have done absolutely right," he said.
He also dismissed allegations that his remarks violated the Constitution, referring to the oath taken by ministers under the Third Schedule. He argued that ministers swear allegiance to the Constitution in the name of God.
Referring to the incident in South 24-Parganas, Chatterjee said the police must now make amends.
"Last year, after Kali Puja, police took Maa Kali away in a prison van. The people of Bengal subsequently brought a Sanatani government to power. Now, under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the police must atone for that incident. They must organise Kali Puja at every police station this year as an act of atonement," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.