India News : The controversy surrounding the prestigious Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja deepened on Saturday night after the Muchipara Police Station served a notice to the company handling the light and sound show. Police have demanded documents including licenses, agreements with organizers, GST papers, and details related to sound limiters. The Puja committee has also been asked to submit their permission papers.
The police notice cited orders from the Calcutta High Court and the Pollution Control Board. Tensions escalated further since the Puja is organized under BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh’s leadership. The event was inaugurated on Friday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Accusing the administration of political vendetta, Ghosh alleged that police detained one of his advertisers for three hours and have now targeted the light and sound supplier from Rajasthan. “We already had police permission. If this continues, we will be forced to shut down the lights of the pandal,” he warned.
On social media, Ghosh accused the authorities of conspiring to disrupt the Puja, alleging that barricading near Sealdah station was deliberately set up to block visitors, leading to chaos and disappointment among devotees.
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty hit back, saying, “If the company doesn’t have the required documents and an accident occurs, who will take responsibility? Police haven’t stopped the Puja; they’ve only asked for papers. Ghosh is unnecessarily politicizing the matter.”
This year, Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee has showcased the theme ‘Operation Sindoor’, highlighting the central government’s counter-terrorism achievements and responses to Pakistan. In 2023, the committee created a Ram Mandir-themed pandal, also inaugurated by Amit Shah. The fresh row has once again fueled political clashes during Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal.
