Vatican-themed Durga Puja pandal irks BJP, VHP in Jharkhand: ‘Probe who funded this?’

Visuals of the pandal went viral on social media, eliciting a reaction from the VHP and BJP.

The organisers told The Indian Express that after the reactions, they decided to make changes to the pandal, such as removing the cross from the hands of the statues and replacing all the Christian images with those of Hindu gods and goddesses.

The head of the club, Vicky Yadav, who is also a member of Jharkhand’s ruling JMM, said the pandal was inspired by one from Kolkata in 2022, which he said had appealed to many devotees there. He said the pandal cost over 70 lakh to erect and was a unique structure designed to promote brotherhood in society. “Every year, we create a large, unique pandal, which is the best in the city. This one is also unique in its nature without hurting anyone’s sentiments. However, there are people who enjoy politicising such festivals,” he said.

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal, however, called the pandal design an attempt to induce religious conversion and “a dangerous experiment meant to mislead the innocent Adivasis”.

“There must be an investigation into who funded this, who gave the idea, and whose interests the organisers are serving… They have turned Jharkhand into Jihad-land and are now moving on the agenda of churches,” Bansal told The Indian Express.

Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, BJP’s Babulal Marandi, said in a post on X that it is important to respect religious traditions.

“While making pandals attractive through different designs is commendable, it is equally important to respect religious faith and traditions… This sacred festival of Maa Durga worship is beyond political boundaries and symbolises the faith and unity of 100 crore Sanatani Hindu brothers and sisters across the country… I hope the organising committee will correct this mistake at the earliest. May Maa Durga bless everyone with wisdom,” he said in the post.

JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey urged people not to politicise the festive season. He said that the pandal structures are primarily constructed to attract and appeal to devotees. “Mother Durga is placed inside, and questions may arise if the rituals do not align with Sanatani culture, but questioning the structure itself is baseless. No politics should be brought into this,” he said.