Suvendu Adhikari Takes Sharp Dig at Left Over Religion and Faith

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attacks the Left over religion and atheism during Ganesh Puja celebrations, calling for Sanatani unity and inviting Communist leaders to Nabanna for Vishwakarma Puja.

Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched the Ganesh Puja celebrations on Monday and launched a sharp attack on the Left, saying that he would not accept advice from those who describe religion as opium and call themselves atheists. Addressing the ongoing debate over religious celebrations, Adhikari said that Sanatanis understand the traditions and rituals associated with their faith, including the practice of offering vegetarian food on some days and fish-based offerings to the deity on others.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding Bageshwar Baba, the Chief Minister said that attempts had previously been made to alter traditional worship methods, religious texts and calendar-based rituals and present them as cultural programmes. He alleged that certain sections had tried to create divisions in the name of regional identity.

Earlier, while inaugurating the puja organised by the Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Ballygunge, Adhikari dismissed the controversy surrounding the celebration of pujas and invited Communist leaders to participate in a religious ceremony at Nabanna. He said that many people, particularly those belonging to the Communist tradition, were uncomfortable with the growing prominence of pujas and had been criticising him for writing about religious celebrations. Addressing Communist Party leaders, he said that he would offer Pushpanjali at Nabanna on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja and invited them to join him in offering flowers before Lord Vishwakarma. He added that they, too, would experience the “taste of change.”

The Chief Minister’s remarks have assumed significance amid the ongoing debate over the installation of puja stalls and the celebration of religious festivals in the state. He also took a swipe at critics who had questioned the practice of inaugurating Durga Puja during Pitru Paksha in previous years. Referring to the traditional period dedicated to paying homage to ancestors, Adhikari said that there was no need for people to go out with scissors during Pitru Paksha, apparently referring to criticism of the timing of religious celebrations.

Adhikari also urged people to remain cautious of what he described as demonic and anti-national forces. He called upon citizens to stay away from anti-national elements and the “tukde-tukde gang,” stressing the need to maintain distance from such forces.

The Chief Minister further criticised those questioning the growing popularity of Ganesh Puja in West Bengal on the grounds that it was traditionally associated with Maharashtra. He described the increasing celebration of the festival as a symbol of unity among Sanatanis. According to Adhikari, barriers had previously been created between communities by distinguishing people as Marathi, Gujarati, Bihari and belonging to other regional identities. He said that those barriers had now been dismantled and that people themselves had contributed to breaking them down.