Arun Mukherjee, National Convenor, Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad
New Delhi, August 17. At the ‘Swabhiman Samaroh’ organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad on Sunday at the Constitution Club of India, the Bengali community of Delhi raised its deep anguish and concern in one voice over the immersion of Goddess Durga’s idols. The programme conveyed a clear message: environmental protection is necessary, but the insult to faith is unacceptable. A strong demand was made for immediate dialogue with the Delhi government to find a practical solution.
The event was attended by leading Durga Puja organisers and committee office-bearers from Delhi-NCR, social and cultural activists, and several distinguished personalities. While discussions covered the rich cultural heritage of the Bengali community, the significance of Durga Puja, and Bengal’s contribution to the freedom movement, the most sensitive issue that dominated the proceedings was the immersion of idols.
Speakers emphasised that for the Bengali community in Delhi, Durga Puja is not merely a festival but a sacred occasion of a daughter returning home. For ten days, the Goddess is worshipped and served with the same devotion as a beloved daughter. On the tenth day, immersion in flowing water is the fundamental requirement of Hindu tradition. However, due to guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, immersion in the Yamuna is prohibited. As an alternative, artificial ponds or pits are created, where idols are immersed and later broken and buried. The Bengali community regards this practice as heart-rending and an assault on its faith and cultural identity.
Arun Mukherjee, National Convenor of the Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad, raised the issue with seriousness, stating that the Bengali community of Delhi has been enduring this pain for years. The improper immersion of Goddess Durga’s idol is not only an insult to faith but also a blow to cultural identity. He made it clear that a delegation of the Parishad seeks dialogue with the Delhi government on this matter. A balance between faith and the environment is entirely possible. Artificial ponds must be made more systematic, clean, and in keeping with tradition, or alternative arrangements must be considered so that the farewell ceremony of the Mother in the forthcoming Durga Puja can be conducted with dignity.
Among those present were BJP National Spokesperson Bharti Ghosh, BJP Mahila Morcha President and Kalkaji Municipal Councillor Yogita Singh, former Tripura State President Subol Bhowmik, BJP leader Ashok Thakur, international poet and BJP spokesperson Gajendra Solanki, and renowned humour poet Shambhu Shikhar. Vishwa Hindu Parishad International President Alok Kumar addressed the gathering via mobile phone and delivered a message on the power, courage, and victory of righteousness symbolised by Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali.
Yogita Singh assured efforts to encourage large-scale Durga Puja celebrations in Delhi and to provide better facilities. She stressed the need for eco-friendly idols and a proper, organised, and environmentally sound immersion system, stating that religious faith and environmental protection need not be in conflict.
The programme was ably conducted by Dr. Rudresh Narayan Mishra and Vineet Pandey. Gajendra Solanki’s patriotic poems in the heroic rasa and Shambhu Shikhar’s witty satire enlivened the atmosphere. Speakers also highlighted the need to connect the younger generation with cultural roots, Bengal’s heritage, and social harmony.
Office-bearers of the Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad, including Arun Mukherjee, Vibhas Ranjan Mandal, Shrikrishna Tendudhar, Ajay Bairagi, Subrata Mandal, Shikha Mathur, Sushobhan Banerjee, and Kishore Taraphdar, were present.
At the conclusion of the event, the organisers underlined that the Delhi government must understand the sentiments of the Bengali community and take concrete steps. A balance between faith and administrative arrangements is the need of the hour. The Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad’s delegation is ready for talks with the Chief Minister of Delhi on this sensitive issue so that a practical solution can be found before the forthcoming Durga Puja and the immersion of Goddess Durga can take place with full dignity.