Suruchi Sangha in New Alipore presents a unique Durga Puja experience this year, honoring Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary
The objective is to highlight Mookerjee’s role in Bengal’s political history and the debates that shaped the province during the turbulent years around Partition, according to Das. Lesser-known aspects of his life and historical events associated with him will also be shown,” Das said. “The theme seeks to present historical narratives associated with Mookerjee, including his role in the creation of the ‘Hindu homeland’ of West Bengal during the Partition,” Sikdar said.
The south Kolkata puja, long counted among the city’s most popular community celebrations, has often reflected the political mood of the times. The theme places emphasis on lesser-known aspects of his life, his political writings and his ideological position, while also revisiting historical events linked to his views on Bengal’s future. “This year’s puja will be themed on the life of Mookerjee and a giant statue of the Hindutva ideologue will be installed. The puja will highlight Mookerjee’s role in shaping the politics and destiny of West Bengal.
Earlier closely associated with the Trinamool Congress ecosystem, with sports minister and Mamata Banerjee loyalist Aroop Biswas and his brother Swaroop Biswas playing key roles in the organisation, Suruchi Sangha now has BJP’s Dum Dum MLA Sourav Sikdar as its puja secretary following the change in the state’s political landscape.