BJP Government in West Bengal Announces New Durga Puja Regulations

The BJP government in West Bengal has announced several new regulations for the upcoming Durga Puja season, including a complete ban on DJs and the closure of all liquor shops and bars on Maha Ashtami. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the government has reduced the grant for puja committees to 1 lakh rupees, down from the 1.10 lakh rupees provided by the previous Mamata Banerjee led government. Adhikari urged committees with large budgets to forgo this financial aid so it can be directed toward those in need. To offset the grant reduction, the government is providing a 100 percent waiver on electricity charges and fire safety clearance fees for puja committees. Additional mandates include a ban on puja inaugurations before Mahalaya, the cancellation of the annual Durga Puja carnival, and a prohibition on using cranes to lift idols during immersion to preserve sanctity. Adhikari also requested that organizers avoid themes that might hurt tradition or culture. In a separate incident, the Chief Minister apologized for a government advertisement that depicted Goddess Durga with 11 arms instead of the traditional 10, following accusations from TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh that the image distorted the deity. While a center right source frames these changes as big announcements and necessary corrections to previous administration practices, a center source frames the move as the BJP redrawing the rules of the festival.