West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday laid the foundation stone for the construction of a grand Durga Angan in New Town's Action Area-I, a project pegged at an estimated cost of Rs 262 crore. During the ceremony, she invoked the state's most revered deity, Ma Durga, in the context of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, expressing deep concern over its human impact without directly naming the process.
Prayer for Humanity Amid Electoral Roll Revision
Addressing the gathering, Banerjee framed the current situation as a humanitarian crisis. "Decisions are being made about who will stay and who will have to leave. So many people are helpless. I will only pray to Ma Durga to restore humanity," she stated. The CM revealed that more than 50 people have died in less than a month under circumstances linked to the exercise.
She posed pointed questions about the process: "Do people living in Bengal need to prove their nationality? And what is the link between nationality and voting rights? People speaking Bengali are labelled Bangladeshi. This is unbearable." Asserting that there was a limit to patience, Banerjee emphasized that everyone's voting rights must be preserved.
Durga Angan: A Global Cultural & Spiritual Hub
The Durga Angan is envisioned as a permanent courtyard for the daily worship of the Mother Goddess. Banerjee detailed that the original site of 12 acres was shifted to a larger 17-acre plot to accommodate ample parking, shops, and zones for cultural performances and rituals. "This will be the biggest Durga Angan in the world, big enough to host 1 lakh visitors every day," she promised.
The project aims to:
- Cement UNESCO's recognition of Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Boost local industries, tourism, and generate employment.
- Showcase Bengal's culture and spirituality to locals and millions of tourists.
Banerjee cited the success of the Jagannath temple in Digha—which saw a footfall of 1 crore on Sunday—as an example of how such religious-cultural hubs can revitalize local economies.
Defending Secular Credentials, Announcing Future Projects
In her address, the Chief Minister also rebutted the BJP's frequent allegations of "appeasement politics." "I do not engage in appeasement. I am a true secularist... I respect all religions equally. I believe in the peaceful coexistence of all religions," she asserted, aligning herself with the philosophy of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and identifying as "Matir Manush."
Looking ahead, Banerjee announced another major project: the inauguration of the Mahakal Temple in Siliguri in the second week of January. She confirmed that the land has been selected, the date finalized, and funds are ready, pending a trust meeting and finalization of architecture.
The funding for the Durga Angan's infrastructure will be shared by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation and the state government. Banerjee expressed confidence that such initiatives would propel Bengal's tourism, stating, "Bengal was second in terms of getting foreign tourists in 2025. We will be number one in 2026."
