Bengal govt ad shows 11-armed Durga, draws flak from TMC, CPI(M) – What did BJP’s Shamik Bhattacharya say? | Today’s news
Controversy erupted over West Bengal government’s Durga Puja advertisement. It started when Goddess Durga was depicted with 11 arms instead of her traditional 10-armed one. The ad was published by the Department of Information and Culture on Monday and sparked mixed reactions from internet users. Opposition leaders, including the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), also raised questions.
Controversy over Durga Puja advertisement in Bengal
The ad featured a picture of CM Suvendu Adhikari alongside another Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “May Bengal’s biggest festival be made even more beautiful, well-organized and safe through cooperation and coordination,” read an excerpt from the ad.
It was an advertisement for the puja committee meeting on Monday at the Milan Mela ahead of Durga Puja 2026. It was organized by the Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal.
Kunal Ghosh reacts
Kunal Ghosh of TMC took X and shared an image of the ad. Labeling CM Suvendu Adhikari, he wrote, according to the translation, “Honourable Chief Minister, in the government advertisement, Maa Durga, who traditionally has ten arms, has now become eleven-armed. According to scriptures, one hand must be removed. We hear about different codes of conduct every day. In the midst of all this, if the number of arms of the goddess immediately complicates the matter, please complicate the separation so as not to distort the original image of the mother goddess.”
Shatrup Ghosh shares a sarcastic post
CPM leader Shatrup Ghosh lashed out at the state government.
Referring to the ongoing row over Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, Ghosh opened his Facebook account. He wrote in Bengali: “What a wonderful government ad! Here Maa Durga has eleven arms. Gods gave Durga weapons in ten hands to kill the demon. And BJP government gave the idol another hand to hit anyone near the ear and chase them out of the pandal and Bengal if they come during Puja and try to impose a dictate on Bengalis to eat vegetarian food.”
Shamik Bhattacharya breaks the silence
Meanwhile, BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya briefly commented on the controversial ad.
When asked about this, Shamik Bhattacharya quoted TV9 Bangla as saying, “Maa Durga has become even more powerful.”
He further added: “I haven’t seen the ad yet. But what mistake which agency made is not a matter of politics. It will be fixed.”
The government has not yet shared an official response to the advertisement.
