Monday, May 20, 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

    Entire Neighbourhood, Minus One...: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's Jab At Pakistan

    Entire Neighbourhood, Minus One...: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's Jab At Pakistan
    S Jaishankar was responding to a question at a session of the World Economic Forum in New Delhi.

    Entire Neighbourhood, Minus One...: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's Jab At Pakistan

    Unbecoming Of Office Imran Khan Holds: India On Pak PM Imran Khan's 'Jihad' Call

    India also launched a diplomatic outreach to apprise major countries about its decisions on Jammu and Kashmir.

    Unbecoming Of Office Imran Khan Holds: India On Pak PM Imran Khan's 'Jihad' Call

    'Sarbat Da Bhalla Express', Tribute To Guru Nanak: Piyush Goyal

    The train previously called the New Delhi-Ludhiana Intercity will ply from Delhi to Lohian Khas in Jalandhar via holy city Sultanpur Lodhi.  

    'Sarbat Da Bhalla Express', Tribute To Guru Nanak: Piyush Goyal

    Pakistani Woman, Married to UP Man, Gets Indian Citizenship After 35-Year-Long Wait

    According to a local intelligence official, 55-year-old Zubeda had married Syed Mohammad Zaved, a resident of Yogenderpur locality in Muzaffarnagar, UP.  

    Pakistani Woman, Married to UP Man, Gets Indian Citizenship After 35-Year-Long Wait

    Punjab Police ASI Baljit Singh Shoots At Wife Then Kills Himself Over Argument

    Punjab Police ASI Baljit Singh Shoots At Wife Then Kills Himself Over Argument
    A Punjab Armed Police (PAP) ASI shot at his wife using his service gun before he shot himself dead in Ferozepur, police said on Friday.    

    Punjab Police ASI Baljit Singh Shoots At Wife Then Kills Himself Over Argument

    Unhappy With Apartment Won In Lottery, Woman Attacks Officials With Slippers

    The GMC has built 832 flats for the economically weaker section. A lottery was conducted recently for allotment of 580 of these units.

    Unhappy With Apartment Won In Lottery, Woman Attacks Officials With Slippers