Kolkata, July 16 -- Asserting that Puja should be kept out of politics, State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday said that any attempt by any of his political leaders or public representatives to "capture" Durga Puja committees should be thwarted.
While attending Khunti Puja at College Square, Bhattacharya said elected representatives should actively participate in community celebrations but must never use political power to take over Durga Puja committees.
"MLAs belonging to my party must participate in Durga Puja in their own constituencies. but taking over a Durga Puja committee by force with which you have no connection should not be done. Taking over a festival in the name of politics is unacceptable and cannot go on. We must rise above this culture. We must keep puja out of politics," Bhattacharya told the media.
He also claimed that some districts in the state appeared to be in a condition similar to Bangladesh, as some people were threatening not to blow conch. He also said that idols were being destroyed in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Members of the Youth Association, which has organised the Mohammad Ali Park Durga Puja for decades, met Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday, a meeting that assumes significance amid the ongoing dispute over the festival's organisation and identity.
The general secretary of the association said they invited Bhattacharya to attend both the Khunti Puja and this year's Durga Puja and claimed he assured them of support if they encountered any difficulties. The Khunti Puja here is scheduled to be held on July 22.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.