Mamata opens Kali Pujas, urges peaceful celebrations
The Statesman | 18 October 2025She inaugurated some important Kali Pujas in central and north Kolkata.
She inaugurated Janbazar Sammelito Kali Puja Samity this evening. The key person of the puja is Swarnakamal Saha. Mr Saha was a close aide of Miss Banerjee. Mr Saha and his wife Sunita Saha were KMC councillors. Their son Sandipan is now the member, mayor in-council (education).
Miss Banerjee inaugurates the Puja every year. Dr Shashi Panja, state minister for women and child development and social welfare, Javed Khan, state minister for disaster management, mayor Firhad Hakim, Madan Mitra and Trinamul MLA from Chowringhee Assembly seat Nayana Banerjee were also present at the function.
Coming down heavily on the BJP, the CM said: “The saffron party has polluted the religious unity and social fabric of our country. It, along with the godi media, is spreading garbage of lies. When any incident takes place in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the BJP remains silent. A rape victim is again raped by the police inside the police station and the persons involved with the rape are welcomed by people. This is BJP’s tradition. BJP is trying to create trouble in Bengal,” she said and urged everyone to cooperate with the administration for peaceful observance of Kali Puja and Diwali. “We had organised Durga Puja peacefully and I hope Kali Puja, Diwali, Jagadhatri Puja and Chaat will be held peacefully,” she maintained.
Miss Banerjee said she feels happy to visit the area as it has Rani Rashmoni’s house, who founded the Dakshineshwar temple.
Miss Banerjee said Bengal is always cosmopolitan, “This has been our tradition and culture. Swami Vivekananda said unity is our strength. Rabindranath Tagore had spoken about national unity in the National Anthem,” she said. She recited from the hymns of Chandi and prayed for everyone’s peace and prosperity. The pandal has been made after the Jagannath temple in Digha.
Earlier, she inaugurated the Kali puja at Girish park. The puja is organised by Sanjay Bakshi, a close aide of Miss Banerjee.
Miss Banerjee inaugurated the puja on Shakespeare Sarani organised by the Friends Club. The state chief secretary Mr Manoj Pant, director general of police Rajeev Kumar and the Commissioner of Police Manoj Verma were present at the gathering.
The puja was organised by Rajib Deb, who died prematurely a few years ago. He was an MIC in Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
