Close X
Sunday, December 1, 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

    Sakshi Malik's Father Has An Emotional Message On National Daughter's Day

    Wrestling champ Sakshi Malik's father has a doting message for his daughter on the occasion of National Daughters Day on September 22.

    Sakshi Malik's Father Has An Emotional Message On National Daughter's Day

    Hurriyat Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, 6 Others Sign Bonds To Secure Release

    Senior separatist leader and Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is among the detained leaders who have furnished a bond to the authorities to seek their release.    

    Hurriyat Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, 6 Others Sign Bonds To Secure Release

    Not Every Kashmiri Potential 'Stone-Pelter': Mehbooba Mufti's Daughter

    Iltija Mufti attacked the Narendra Modi-led government for holding her mother and other state political leaders under preventive detention.  

    Not Every Kashmiri Potential 'Stone-Pelter': Mehbooba Mufti's Daughter

    Pak Knows Our Capability, Thought Our Leadership Won't Act: IAF Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa

    Pakistan always underestimated India's national leadership and they did the same during the Balakot air strikes, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said on Friday.    

    Pak Knows Our Capability, Thought Our Leadership Won't Act: IAF Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa

    Ratul Puri's Judicial Custody Extended Till October 3 In Bank Fraud Case

    The court had on September 3 sent Ratul Puri to judicial custody in the case after his 14-day custodial interrogation ended.

    Ratul Puri's Judicial Custody Extended Till October 3 In Bank Fraud Case

    Corporate Tax Cut Trends As Indian FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Tax Bonanza

    As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a lowering of the corporate tax rate for domestic companies to 22 per cent on Friday, hashtags like #CorporateTaxCut, #Sensex have been trending since morning.

    Corporate Tax Cut Trends As Indian FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Tax Bonanza