New Delhi: Members of Delhi’s Bengali community expressed deep concern and anguish over the existing arrangements for the immersion of Maa Durga idols at the ‘Swabhiman Samaroh’, organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad in association with Media Scan at the Constitution Club of India on Monday. The event sent out a clear message that while environmental protection is essential, religious sentiments must also be respected. Strong demands were raised for dialogue with the Delhi government to find a practical solution at the earliest.

The event was attended by prominent Durga Puja organizers from Delhi-NCR, office-bearers of various committees, social and cultural activists, and other distinguished personalities. Discussions covered the cultural heritage of the Bengali community, the significance of Durga Puja, and Bengal’s contribution to India’s freedom movement. However, the most sensitive issue discussed was the immersion of Durga idols.

Speakers said that for Delhi’s Bengali community, Durga Puja is not merely a festival but a sacred occasion symbolizing the arrival of a daughter at her maternal home. For ten days, Maa Durga is worshipped and cared for like a daughter. Immersion in flowing water on the tenth day is an integral part of the Hindu tradition. However, due to guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, immersion in the Yamuna is prohibited. As an alternative, artificial ponds or pits are created where idols are immersed and subsequently subjected to processes such as breaking them apart and burying the remains. Members of the Bengali community consider this deeply painful and feel that it hurts their religious sentiments.

Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad National Convenor Arun Mukherjee raised the issue strongly, saying that the Bengali community in Delhi has been facing this difficulty for years. He said that the inability to conduct the proper immersion of Maa Durga idols is not only a matter of religious sentiment but also affects the community’s cultural identity. He made it clear that a delegation of the Parishad wants to engage in dialogue with the Delhi government on the matter. He emphasized that a balance between faith and environmental protection is possible. Artificial immersion ponds should be made more organized, clean and compatible with religious traditions, or alternative arrangements should be explored so that Maa Durga’s farewell during the upcoming Durga Puja can take place with dignity.

The programme was attended by BJP national spokesperson Bharti Ghosh, BJP Delhi Pradesh General Secretary and Kalkaji municipal councillor Yogita Singh, former Tripura BJP president Subal Bhowmik, BJP leader Ashok Thakur, international poet and BJP spokesperson Gajendra Solanki, humour poet Shambhu Shikhar, and several other distinguished guests.

Vishva Hindu Parishad International President Alok Kumar, addressing the gathering over the phone, spoke about the power and courage represented by Maa Durga and Maa Kali and conveyed the message of the victory of righteousness.

Yogita Singh assured the gathering of efforts to encourage large-scale Durga Puja celebrations in Delhi and provide better facilities. She stressed the need to promote eco-friendly idols and ensure an organized and environmentally responsible immersion system. She said that religious faith and environmental protection are not contradictory to each other.

The programme was conducted by Dr. Rudresh Narayan Mishra and Vineet Pandey. Gajendra Solanki’s patriotic poetry and Shambhu Shikhar’s humour and satire added vibrancy to the event. Speakers also highlighted the importance of connecting the younger generation with its cultural roots, preserving Bengal’s heritage and strengthening social unity.

Among those present from the Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad were Arun Mukherjee, Vibhas Ranjan Mandal, Shri Krishna Tendudhar, Ajay Bairagi, Subrata Mandal, Shikha Mathur, Sushobhan Banerjee and Kishore Tarfadar, among others.

At the conclusion of the programme, the organizers emphasized that the Delhi government should understand the sentiments of the Bengali community and take concrete steps. A balance between faith and governance is the need of the hour. The Akhil Bharatiya Bang Parishad has expressed its readiness to meet the Delhi Chief Minister on this sensitive issue so that a practical solution can be found before the upcoming Durga Puja and the immersion of Maa Durga idols can be carried out with dignity and respect.