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Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Dhunuchi to Dissent: Kolkata's Durga Pujo to turn into a rally for Bengali pride with this year's theme
Kolkata's Durga Puja this year transcends artistry, becoming a cultural statement addressing perceived injustices against Bengali speakers. Pandal themes will depict Partition-era struggles, migrant worker harassment, and Bengal's rich history. This surge in politically charged themes reflects heightened tensions in West Bengal, with organizers using the festival as a platform to defend Bengali identity amid political rhetoric. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Partition pain to 'language terrorism' Political tensions spill into festive season Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads This year, Kolkata's Durga Puja is set to be more than a celebration of artistry and devotion — it will be a cultural sprawling installations to thought-provoking pandals, several committees are dedicating their themes to the perceived injustices faced by Bengali-speaking people across India, reported TOI. Organisers told the news outlet that the idea is to challenge stereotypes, noting the language's deep cultural roots, and confront attempts to label Bengali speakers as 'outsiders' or 'Bangladeshis.'The creative interpretations span Bengal's ancient history, Partition-era refugee struggles, and the lives of migrant workers who face harassment simply for speaking their mother veteran clubs to newer entrants, organisers are pushing boundaries — turning pandals into living history lessons on Bengal's legacy and its contemporary Behala, Adarshapally Club will evoke the trauma of refugees during Partition, drawing on filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak's works, particularly Meghe Dhaka Tara, to mirror the threats to Bengal's cultural fabric today.'It's about Bengal in peril — then and now,' organiser Shankar Ghosh told Ashwininagar Bandhumahal will trace the history of the Bengal delta back 42,000 years, while marking its 45th year with Bangla o Bangali. Banglar Itihaas, featuring installations of Rabindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Raja Ram Mohan Dum Dum Road Hanuman Mandir Jayashree Club is taking a hard political stance, theming its pandal around alleged illegal deportations of Bengali speakers and the erosion of their basic Sarbojonin, now in its 81st year, will present Ami Banglay Bolchhi (I am speaking in Bangla) near the historic home of poet and playwright Dwijendralal the other hand, 39 Pally Durgotsav Samiti's effort, spearheaded by young organisers with Down syndrome, will address what they call 'language terrorism' — a metaphor for the stigma and exclusion they face, TOI further surge in politically charged Puja themes comes amid heightened tensions in West Bengal over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking citizens in BJP-ruled week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large protest march through central Kolkata, joined by TMC leaders including Abhishek Banerjee, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled state TMC has accused the Centre and BJP-governed states of targeting Bengalis through eviction drives, detention of migrant workers, and even foreigners' tribunal notices against Indian citizens. The party's renewed push for 'Bengali pride' is seen as a key plank in its campaign for next year's Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, however, has countered that the 'Bengali asmita' pitch is political theatre designed to shield illegal immigration, while questioning the state government's own record in supporting Bengali now, as the political rhetoric sharpens, Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata seem determined to make the city's biggest cultural festival a platform for defending identity — blending devotion, art, and activism in the same breath.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
From Dhunuchi to Dissent: Kolkata's Durga Pujo to turn into a rally for Bengali pride with this year's theme
Synopsis Kolkata's Durga Puja this year transcends artistry, becoming a cultural statement addressing perceived injustices against Bengali speakers. Pandal themes will depict Partition-era struggles, migrant worker harassment, and Bengal's rich history. This surge in politically charged themes reflects heightened tensions in West Bengal, with organizers using the festival as a platform to defend Bengali identity amid political rhetoric. This year, Kolkata's Durga Puja is set to be more than a celebration of artistry and devotion — it will be a cultural statement. From sprawling installations to thought-provoking pandals, several committees are dedicating their themes to the perceived injustices faced by Bengali-speaking people across India, reported TOI. Organisers told the news outlet that the idea is to challenge stereotypes, noting the language's deep cultural roots, and confront attempts to label Bengali speakers as 'outsiders' or 'Bangladeshis.' The creative interpretations span Bengal's ancient history, Partition-era refugee struggles, and the lives of migrant workers who face harassment simply for speaking their mother tongue. From veteran clubs to newer entrants, organisers are pushing boundaries — turning pandals into living history lessons on Bengal's legacy and its contemporary challenges. In Behala, Adarshapally Club will evoke the trauma of refugees during Partition, drawing on filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak's works, particularly Meghe Dhaka Tara , to mirror the threats to Bengal's cultural fabric today. 'It's about Bengal in peril — then and now,' organiser Shankar Ghosh told TOI. Baguiati's Ashwininagar Bandhumahal will trace the history of the Bengal delta back 42,000 years, while marking its 45th year with Bangla o Bangali. Banglar Itihaas , featuring installations of Rabindranath Tagore, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Meanwhile, Dum Dum Road Hanuman Mandir Jayashree Club is taking a hard political stance, theming its pandal around alleged illegal deportations of Bengali speakers and the erosion of their basic rights. Chaltabagan Sarbojonin, now in its 81st year, will present Ami Banglay Bolchhi (I am speaking in Bangla) near the historic home of poet and playwright Dwijendralal Roy. On the other hand, 39 Pally Durgotsav Samiti's effort, spearheaded by young organisers with Down syndrome, will address what they call 'language terrorism' — a metaphor for the stigma and exclusion they face, TOI further reported. The surge in politically charged Puja themes comes amid heightened tensions in West Bengal over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking citizens in BJP-ruled states. Last week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large protest march through central Kolkata, joined by TMC leaders including Abhishek Banerjee, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled state visit. The TMC has accused the Centre and BJP-governed states of targeting Bengalis through eviction drives, detention of migrant workers, and even foreigners' tribunal notices against Indian citizens. The party's renewed push for 'Bengali pride' is seen as a key plank in its campaign for next year's Assembly polls. BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, however, has countered that the 'Bengali asmita' pitch is political theatre designed to shield illegal immigration, while questioning the state government's own record in supporting Bengali professionals. For now, as the political rhetoric sharpens, Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata seem determined to make the city's biggest cultural festival a platform for defending identity — blending devotion, art, and activism in the same breath.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ruckus in assembly over expunged remarks, 4 BJP MLAs suspended
1 2 3 Kolkata: Chaos broke out in the Bengal assembly on Monday after BJP lawmakers protested speaker Biman Banerjee's decision to expunge remarks made by them last week. An intense showdown between opposition and treasury benches led to marshals being called in to forcibly remove lawmakers from the House. Four BJP MLAs were suspended for the remainder of the assembly session. Tensions mounted when BJP MLA Ashok Lahiri raised a point of order asking why a speech made by him was expunged from the records. Last Thursday, BJP MLAs had raised questions about the West Bengal Sales Tax (Settlement of Dispute) (Amendment) Bill which was being discussed in the House. But when minister Chandrima Bhattacharya rose to answer those questions, BJP legislators staged a walkout. Later, speaker Banerjee decided to expunge the comments made by BJP lawmakers because they walked out before listening to the minister's response to the questions they had raised. On Monday, when Lahiri asked under which rule his remarks were expunged, a response by minister Bhattacharya triggered an uproar. Amid the commotion, Tilak Chakraborty, Trinamool MLA from Mahishadal, taunted BJP legislators by asking: "Who lost in Kaliganj?" The debate soon devolved into a shouting match. At one point, opposition legislators started moving towards the treasury benches. As tempers rose, speaker Banerjee called in marshals to remove some of the BJP lawmakers from the House. A melee ensued. BJP said its chief whip Shankar Ghosh fell on the ground while being restrained by security personnel and his spectacles broke and MLA Subrata (Kanchan) Maitra's watch suffered damage during the scuffle. Shortly after the incident, leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who was not present in the assembly during the melee, approached the speaker and in a dramatic face-off handed over the damaged spectacles and watch. He further alleged the marshals manhandled the MLAs and that he was personally targeted. "I left Shankar Ghosh and Shantanu Pramanik's spectacles and Subrata Maitra's watch with the speaker," Adhikari told reporters, adding, "And then the speaker said, 'remove the leader of opposition.' Is this the kind of language one expects from the chair?" Adhikari claimed he was surrounded by 20 female security personnel. "They wanted me to get into a physical altercation with the women. I kept my hands in my pockets and told them, 'You will have to push me out by force'. I stood there and continued my protest," he said. Speaking to reporters, speaker Banerjee said 14 security staffers were injured while they were trying to remove the lawmakers from the House. "This is unfortunate. Such things should not occur in a parliamentary democracy," he said. "I have asked the assembly secretariat to examine the report of injury to several staffers, report of damages to the spectacles and watch of BJP members and the damage to microphones. If the allegations are proved, we will recover the money from the salaries of legislators," he added. The speaker later announced suspensions of BJP MLAs Agnimitra Paul, Manoj Oraon, Deepak Barman and Shankar Ghosh for the remainder of the session. BJP said it will continue its protest on Tuesday, the last day of the session.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chaos erupts in West Bengal Assembly as TMC disrupts BJP speech amid Bill debate
Kolkata: Major chaos erupted inside the West Bengal Assembly during the tabling of the Netaji Subhas University of Sports and Entrepreneurship Bill 2025. Ruling Trinamool Congress ( TMC ) MLAs began shouting and protesting, preventing BJP chief whip Shankar Ghosh from delivering his speech. Amidst the uproar, BJP MLAs walked out of the House after the Bill was tabled. After Education Minister Bratya Basu tabled the Bill, numerous Trinamool legislators continued their protests, even as Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay initially allowed Ghosh to speak. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo Speaker Bandopadhyay later stated, "I had to expunge your and other BJP MLAs' statements made on the floor of the House as you had left while the minister was delivering a reply to your question. This was an act of insult to the minister and the House. However, I want the House to function properly and want you to participate in the debate." Chief Whip Nirmal Ghosh, Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, Minister of State (Independent) Chandrima Bhattacharya, IT Minister Babul Supriyo , and several others from the TMC continued protesting against the conduct of Shankar Ghosh and other BJP leaders for several minutes. The protesting BJP MLAs left the House and demonstrated outside the assembly premises, wearing black masks. Live Events Ghosh told reporters that the voice of the Opposition is being silenced by the ruling party and the Speaker. "It is said that the House belongs to the Opposition. But the House is behaving like Trinamool's party office. There was a deliberate attempt to snatch our rights. The ruling Trinamool doesn't want democracy to function. They did not allow the opposition to speak, and the Speaker did not take any action," Ghosh asserted. He added, "For the first time, the entire ruling party united to stop an MLA from speaking... We had decided not to stay during the minister's speech. Speeches of our two MLAs, including Ashok Lahiri, were expunged by the Speaker yesterday."
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bill tabled for sports univ, BJP MLAs walk out
Kolkata: BJP MLAs staged a walkout at the state assembly on Friday following a 20-minute argument after higher education minister Bratya Basu tabled the Netaji Subhas University of Sports and Entrepreneurship Bill, 2025. The walkout notwithstanding, a discussion was held, in which it was said the Bill was tabled to set up Netaji Subhas University of Sports and Entrepreneurship in Chinsurah and to give it status of a private university, promoted by Chinsurah Netaji Welfare Trust. Trouble broke out as BJP chief whip Shankar Ghosh rose to speak reportedly on the Bill, Trinamool MLAs, including Babul Supriyo, demanded to know why they should listen to him when BJP MLAs had walked out during a discussion on West Bengal Sales Tax (Settlement of Dispute) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Thursday. An argument broke out and BJP MLAs walked out. Ghosh later alleged, "Trinamool did not let me speak." Speaker Biman Banerjee said, "It is not desirable that a member will leave. The Opposition tried to speak, but they did not say anything on the Bill... ."
