Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
India

‘Azaan' At Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Triggers Controversy

Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Oct, 2019 07:35 PM

    A city Durga Puja committee has triggered a controversy by playing Azaan--a Muslim call for prayer-- along with Sanskrit hymns as the theme music of the festivities.


    The organisers says it was was in line with the "communal harmony" theme chosen by the committee for this year's puja.


    Santanu Singha, a Calcutta High Court lawyer, said he filed a complaint at Beleghata police station on Friday accusing the organisers of "disturbing peace and tranquility" in West Bengal.


    Police, however, said they are yet to receive a complaint.


    "I was shocked to find Azaan being played every 10-15 minutes inside the puja pandal. They are saying the theme is communal harmony. What kind of communal harmony are they preaching by hurting the sentiments of Hindus during Durga Puja?" Mr Singha said on Monday.


    Mr Singha said he has decided to move court against the organisers.


    The chief patron of the puja committee, Trinamool Congress MLA Paresh Pal, said the theme of the puja is "Amra Ek, Eka Noi" (We are one, not alone). He said apart from Azaan, the ''Om'' mantra is also being played.


    Hindu Jagran Manch leader Vivek Singh also threatened to move court.


    "In the name of puja theme, can we actually play with the theme of Durga Puja, play with our religion. An FIR has been filed at Phoolbagan police station and, if needed, we will take the legal route against Paresh Pal and his associates," Mr Singh said.


    Paresh Pal, on the other hand, said the puja pandal has motifs of temple, church and mosque to project the spirit of inclusiveness.


    "The puja pandal has motifs of a temple, a church and a mosque to project the spirit of our inclusiveness. We have endeavoured to show that humanity is above barriers in our decoration and theme song," Mr Pal said.


    "Let them file an FIR or take the legal route. We will fight it out," he added.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Not A Single Life Lost To Dengue This Year In Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal

    Not A Single Life Lost To Dengue This Year In Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal
    As part of the campaign, people are expected to devote 10 minutes at 10 am every Sunday for 10 weeks to ensure that there is no stagnant water in their homes which could allow breeding of mosquitoes.  

    Not A Single Life Lost To Dengue This Year In Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal

    Respect Personal Liberty: Congress On Reports Of Rahul Gandhi’s Visit Abroad

    Respect Personal Liberty: Congress On Reports Of Rahul Gandhi’s Visit Abroad
    Assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra are being held on October 21. "In India's democratic tradition, there is a difference between personal and public life and personal liberty has always been respected," Congress said.  

    Respect Personal Liberty: Congress On Reports Of Rahul Gandhi’s Visit Abroad

    Man Claimed He Could Convert Rupees Into Dollars With 'Magic', Arrested

    Man Claimed He Could Convert Rupees Into Dollars With 'Magic', Arrested
    The police said that the man used a white powder and water-like fluid to "execute" his trick  

    Man Claimed He Could Convert Rupees Into Dollars With 'Magic', Arrested

    16-Year-Old Found Hanging From Tree In Delhi, Cops Suspect Suicide

    16-Year-Old Found Hanging From Tree In Delhi, Cops Suspect Suicide
    The boy's footprint was spotted on the tree, which shows he climbed and hanged himself from it, police said.  

    16-Year-Old Found Hanging From Tree In Delhi, Cops Suspect Suicide

    'More Of Us Will Speak Every Day'; Celebrities Condemn Earlier FIR

    Over180 members of the cultural community, including actor Naseeruddin Shah, cinematographer Anand P...

    'More Of Us Will Speak Every Day'; Celebrities Condemn Earlier FIR

    We'll Treat Her To Halwa Puri: Kuldeep Bishnoi vs TikTok Star Sonali Phogat In Haryana

    As a teenager, she worked in the fields, even driving her father's tractor. She went on to become an actor, and more recently a Tik Tok sensation.

    We'll Treat Her To Halwa Puri: Kuldeep Bishnoi vs TikTok Star Sonali Phogat In Haryana

    PrevNext