West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced a series of new guidelines for this year’s Durga Puja, including a complete prohibition on liquor sales on Maha Ashtami and a ban on DJ music during idol immersion processions.
The Adhikari-led administration has also decided to discontinue the post-Puja carnival, an event introduced during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure that gained significant popularity as well as attracted controversy over the years.
“On Maha Ashtami, when we offer floral tributes to the Goddess in this state, all liquor shops, including bars, will remain closed. Liquor cannot be sold on Ashtami,” Adhikari said.
The BJP-led Bengal government has also announced a Rs 1 lakh grant for Puja committees, free electricity during the celebrations and a waiver of fees for mandatory fire safety licences.
The Chief Minister further appealed to Puja committees to ensure that their idols, pandals and themes do not offend religious or cultural sentiments. His appeal echoed a similar request previously made by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), a Hindu right-wing organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
NO LIQUOR ON MAHA ASHTAMI
Adhikari said the liquor restriction was being introduced because of the religious importance of the day, when devotees traditionally offer floral tributes to Goddess Durga.
He clarified that the sale of alcohol would be completely prohibited on Maha Ashtami, effectively suspending liquor trade across the state for the day. The restriction will apply to both liquor shops and bars.
It marks the first time that a Bengal government has directed a complete ban on alcohol sales on a particular day of the Durga Puja festival. Neither the previous Left government nor the TMC administration had imposed such a restriction earlier.
NO CARNIVAL THIS YEAR, SAYS ADHIKARI
Adhikari also announced that the Bengal government's Durga Puja carnival, held after the festival, would not take place this year.
The event was traditionally organised on Kolkata’s famous Red Road, where a grand procession featuring Durga idols from several Puja committees was held before the idols were immersed in the Hooghly River. It became an important part of Kolkata’s Durga Puja festivities during Mamata Banerjee’s second term as Chief Minister. Banerjee, several ministers and numerous celebrities regularly attended the large cultural programme, which was also televised live.
Although the carnival received appreciation from many quarters, it also faced criticism over the years. The controversy became particularly intense last year when North Bengal was dealing with severe floods and Mamata Banerjee was seen participating in the carnival in Kolkata.
The BJP used the occasion to target the then Trinamool Congress government, alleging that it was ignoring flood-hit North Bengal, an important electoral region, while concentrating on celebrations in Kolkata.
NO DJ MUSIC IN IMMERSION PROCESSIONS, ADHIKARI SAYS
Adhikari also announced new rules for idol immersion processions.
He said DJ music would be prohibited during immersion processions and appealed to Puja committees to complete idol immersions before Lakshmi Puja.
Lakshmi Puja will be observed on October 25 this year.
“I would urge everyone to complete the idol immersion by the previous day,” Adhikari said.
The request is intended to ensure that immersions are completed before the next major festival and that celebrations remain orderly during the festive season.
DO NOTHING THAT COMPROMISES RELIGIOUS SENTIMENTS
The Chief Minister also appealed to Puja committees to exercise caution while designing Durga Puja themes, idols and decorations.
He asked organisers to avoid altering traditional depictions of Goddess Durga or creating themes and installations that could offend religious sentiments or undermine Bengal’s cultural heritage.
“Regarding idols, pandals, themes, or decorations—please do nothing that compromises religious or cultural heritage and religious sentiments,” Adhikari said. His statement was similar to an earlier appeal issued by the Vishva Hindu Parishad.
The appeal comes as theme-based Durga Pujas have grown enormously popular across Bengal, especially in Kolkata, where committees compete to build elaborate pandals and present creative artistic interpretations that draw thousands of visitors.
Although innovative themes have become an integral part of Kolkata’s festive celebrations, Adhikari stressed that such experimentation should not undermine religious traditions or sentiments.
RS 1 LAKH GRANT FOR DURGA PUJA COMMITTEES
The Bengal government will also provide a Rs 1 lakh grant to Durga Puja committees, particularly those that need financial support to organise their celebrations. The previous Mamata Banerjee government had also provided similar assistance to several Puja committees.
Adhikari said electricity would also be provided free of cost during the celebrations, with CESC confirming that it would supply power without charging the committees.
The mandatory fire safety licence required by Puja organisers will also be issued without a fee, he said.
However, while announcing the financial assistance, Adhikari appealed to wealthy and high-budget Puja committees to refrain from seeking government funds if they were capable of financing their celebrations independently.
“I do not wish to issue directives or misuse my authority. I am making a request: I urge those with the means and large budgets not to accept government assistance for the Puja,” Adhikari said.
He noted that community Durga Pujas were traditionally financed through voluntary contributions, commonly referred to as ‘chanda’, but claimed that many committees had increasingly begun relying on government funding.
“People have developed a bad habit; in the past, they used to collect voluntary subscriptions (chanda). That is how community Durga Pujas used to be organised,” Adhikari said.
He said organising a good-quality Puja could cost at least Rs 10 lakh and suggested that financially capable committees raise additional money through advertisements rather than relying on government grants.
