Lashing out at the Opposition BJP’s “appeasement politics” charge, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asserted that she’s a “secularist in true sense.”
Laying the foundation stone of ‘Durga Angan’, a cultural complex dedicated to Goddess Durga, in New Town near Kolkata, the CM said that the project is being developed to preserve UNESCO’s recognition of the Durga Puja festival as a cultural heritage.
“Many people accuse me of appeasement politics. I am a true secularist. I believe in the peaceful coexistence of all religions. You can’t show me a religion whose celebrations I don’t attend. I cover my head when I visit gurdwaras. Why do you complain when I attend rozas? Every religion has its cultural practices. How can I disregard any of them? Some people are looting and vandalising. Decisions are being made about who will stay and who will have to leave. I will pray to Maa Durga to destroy evil,” the TMC supremo said.
Calling the Durga Angan a jewel in ‘Bengal’s crown’, the CM said: “It is a historic day for us. Today, another jewel has been added to the crown of Bengal. You may ask what is the necessity of a Durga Angan when Durga Puja is celebrated everywhere in Bengal. It is to preserve the recognition that UNESCO has given to Durga Puja for future generations. Thousands of people will come here every day.”
UNESCO has accorded Intangible Cultural Heritage status to the Durga Puja festival.
Originally planned for 12 acres, the CM announced that the project has been expanded to over 17 acres to accommodate a massive influx of visitors.
“I decided to make it better. This will be the biggest Durga Angan in the world, capable of hosting one lakh visitors every day,” the CM said. The project is being implemented under the supervision of HIDCO. The CM informed that the Durga Angan trust, headed by the Chief Secretary, is ready to move forward with HIDCO overseeing the essential infrastructure.
Referring to the funding for Durga Angan, Banerjee said: “Funds are ready.The funds available in the trust of the Durga Mandir are sufficient for the idol of the goddess. HIDCO will also spend on the infrastructure.”
Banerjee said that the project has the potential to boost the local economy. “Religion is personal, but celebration is universal,” she said, adding that the site would generate employment for self-help groups, artisans, and the hospitality sector. Reflecting on Bengal’s rising profile in terms of global tourism, she said, “In 2025, West Bengal ranked second in foreign tourist arrivals. By 2026, we will be number one.”
She stated that her government is committed to religious infrastructure, citing the Rs 1,700 crore bridge to Gangasagar, development of the Dakshineswar skywalk, and the 700 acres provided to ISKCON.
Banerjee also announced that the foundation stone of the state’s largest Mahakal Temple in Siliguri will be laid in the second week of January.
Necessary funds have been arranged and preparations are underway, she said, adding that a trust meeting will be held soon to finalise the remaining details.
Recalling her tenure as Railway Minister, she said, “When I was the Railway Minister and was overseeing the construction of a railway track, I saw 600 hotels being established in a single day because of it. The metro lines that crisscross Kolkata were built using the money I left behind when I exited the Rail Ministry. The amount was more than Rs 2 lakh crore. I kept it in the Railways’ Pink Book to ensure that the project did not stop. Had I been there, I would have completed it in two years. They have been dragging it on for more than 15 years.”
Sharing the project details of Gangasagar bridge, Banerjee said: “The foundation stone–laying ceremony will take place in January second week. I have already selected the land and finalised the date. A meeting regarding the trust still needs to be held. The architecture needs to be finalised”.
Drawing a comparison between Kumbh Mela and Gangasagar Mela, Banerjee said: “Connectivity is not an issue for the Kumbh Mela. However, reaching the Gangasagar Mela is quite difficult, as one needs to cross the waters. More than 1 crore pilgrims visit Gangasagar. I tried for 12 years, waiting for the Central government to build a bridge there. You will be happy to know that we have allocated Rs 1,700 crore to build a bridge in Gangasagar. In the next two years, no one will face the trouble of crossing the waters to reach Gangasagar. L&T has received the tender…”
“We have given 700 acres of land to ISKCON. We have declared Nabadwip a heritage site. We have carried out developmental and renovation works at many other religious institutions and sites. We have also established development boards,” she added.
Banerjee recounted her government’s role in saving Swami Vivekananda’s ancestral home from promoters and restoring Sister Nivedita’s house.
Banerjee also flagged concerns over the ongoing SIR process, alleging harassment of people and loss of lives. “Does a person living in Bengal need to prove their nationality? When someone speaks Bengali, they are labeled as Bangladeshi,” she said, criticizing the denial of hotel rooms to Bengali speakers. She vowed that the state would protect the
voting rights of all its long-term residents.—WITH PTI Inputs
Features of Durga Angan