BJP slams Mamata over 'Durga Angan' plan, cites constitutional violation; TMC hits back

Kolkata: The BJP on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement to build a 'Durga Angan' in the state, alleging that the move violates constitutional principles by promoting religion with public funds.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari questioned the legality and motive behind the project, accusing Banerjee of misusing state resources for religious purposes.

"No religious institution - be it a temple, mosque, church or gurudwara - can be built using taxpayers' money. The Constitution does not permit it," Adhikari said.

He further added, "She hasn't read the Constitution, nor does she understand her own religion. She must educate herself before making such statements."

The comments came a day after Banerjee, addressing a massive crowd at the TMC's July 21 Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata, announced her plan to build a grand complex named Durga Angan, following the inauguration of Jagannath Dham in Digha this year in April.

The BJP alleged that Banerjee's recent emphasis on Hindu religious symbols is a political ploy aimed at countering its influence in Bengal's religious voter base.

In a swift rebuttal, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta defended the chief minister's announcement, saying, "Suvendu is blinded by his hatred for Mamata Banerjee. She has always been spiritually inclined-even before entering politics; she performed Kali Puja at home. She brought Narayan to Bengal in the form of Jagannath and built the Jagannath Dham. Now she's planning a temple for Ma Durga."

Dutta also questioned whether BJP had the authority to decide who qualifies as Hindu.

"She has supported thousands of grassroots Durga Pujas with financial grants and helped secure UNESCO's heritage tag for the festival. She even organises the annual Durga Puja Carnival. Does that not count? BJP mocks Jagannath Dham as a 'theme park' and now questions her faith, people will judge them," he added.

Adhikari had earlier objected to the Digha temple being called a 'Dham', calling it against religious practices. He even posted on social media that lightning striking the temple dome was a "bad omen".

Political observers view Banerjee’s religious initiatives-including the Jagannath and now Durga projects - as attempts to reposition herself in the ongoing tug-of-war over religious and cultural symbolism in Bengal.

The BJP, meanwhile, continues to accuse the TMC of opportunistic 'soft Hindutva' after years of alleged minority appeasement.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked "Jai Ma Durga" and "Jai Ma Kali" at a public rally in Durgapur, prompting TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee to mockingly comment, "Earlier they used to say 'Jai Shri Ram', now they are saying 'Jai Ma Durga', 'Jai Ma Kali'. Mark my words, in the next ten months, they will start saying 'Joy Bangla'."

As West Bengal moves closer to the 2026 Assembly polls, the politics of faith is expected to remain at the centre of fierce electoral and ideological clashes between the TMC and the BJP.