Kolkata: Bengal’s politics has once again turned towards religion, festivals and cultural identity, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari accusing successive Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments of weakening the traditional cultural practices of Bengali Hindus.
Speaking at a Ganesh Puja programme in Kestopur on Saturday, Adhikari said the issue goes back several decades, covering the 34-year Left Front rule and the subsequent 15 years of TMC governance.
The Chief Minister alleged that traditional Hindu customs, scriptures and religious practices were gradually pushed away from the public space during the Left regime.
He claimed that Communist literature, including works associated with Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, was given prominence at a time when writings and teachings linked to Swami Vivekananda, Swami Pranavananda and the Ramakrishna Mission allegedly received less attention.
“Those who ruled West Bengal for 34 years did not want us to write about or follow our religious traditions, scriptures and rituals,” Adhikari alleged.
Durga Puja traditions become part of political debate
Adhikari also revisited the long-running debate over Durga Puja immersion and religious festivals during the previous TMC government.
Without directly naming former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he referred to the controversy surrounding restrictions on Durga idol immersion during Muharram.
The Chief Minister said his government would follow the traditional calendar and religious almanac while deciding dates and practices related to Durga Puja.
He said efforts were underway to restore traditional customs associated with Bengal’s biggest festival.
Chinmoy Krishna Das issue finds mention
The Bangladesh situation involving Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu also featured prominently in Adhikari’s speech.
Referring to photographs of the jailed monk mourning beside his mother’s mortal remains, the Chief Minister said the images had deeply affected Hindus across the world.
“The tears of Chinmoy Prabhu had moved sanatanis across the world,” he said.
His remarks came a day after the TMC criticised the BJP over its alleged silence on the Bangladeshi monk’s situation, adding another layer to the ongoing political exchange between the two parties.
‘Protect Bengal’s heritage’
Adhikari also spoke about the history of people who came to India from erstwhile East Pakistan during Partition and linked their experiences with the larger question of cultural identity.
Calling for unity, he urged people to protect Bengal’s religious traditions, heritage and cultural identity.
The remarks are likely to add fresh momentum to the political debate over religion, festivals and cultural identity in West Bengal, particularly as the state moves closer to another major Durga Puja season.
