Bars, liquor shops to remain shut, no DJ on Maha Ashtami in Bengal: CM Suvendu

While announcing the bans, Suvendu Adhikari urged Puja committees to ensure that their pandals and themes do not hurt religious sentiments of Sanatan Dharma.

West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced a complete ban on DJ music in Durga Puja pandals and processions, barred puja committees from inaugurating pandals before Mahalaya and declared a ban on the sale of liquor in the state on Maha Ashtami to maintain discipline and preserve the traditional character of the festival.

The chief minister clarified that theme-based pujo pandals can be set up, however, he stressed that themes of the pandals should be selected carefully. (File Photo/PTI)

Adhikari made the announcement during a coordination meeting with Durga Puja committees at Milan Mela Prangan in Kolkata.

He said the state government would host a mega cultural event at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Mahalaya to mark the festival and depict the homecoming of Goddess Durga with her children through three drone shows. There will also be cultural events, fireworks display, and road shows. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited, Adhikari said.

The chief minister said community Durga Pujas would be eligible for a grant of ₹1 lakh, but appealed to big-budget puja committees not to avail of it.

Deep Dive

Why is the West Bengal government closing liquor shops and bars on Maha Ashtami?

What other restrictions on celebrations has the West Bengal government implemented during Durga Puja?

How should Puja committees select themes for their pandals during Durga Puja?

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Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee introduced an assistance of ₹10,000 for puja committees in 2018. The amount was raised from time to time, increasing it from ₹85,000 for each community puja to ₹1.10 lakh in 2025

Adhikari frowned at the practice. “The manner in which the former chief minister announced grants for puja committees during last year’s Durga Puja was similar to bargaining in a fish market. It is not good. I will appeal to big-budget puja organisers not to avail the government grant this year. The state will grant ₹1 lakh to those pujas that would not be able to organise the puja without the funds. It is optional,” he added.

The government has, however, waived the electricity bills and fees for getting the license from the state fire department.

The chief minister noted that UNESCO added Durga Puja in Kolkata to its 2021 list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, giving international recognition to the state's largest religious festival.

The chief minister appealed to the puja organisers not to choose any themes for their pandals that hurt the tradition, culture and sanctity and announced steps to maintain the character of the festival.

“Cranes won’t be used to lift the idols during the immersion process as it hurts the sanctity of the idols and beliefs. The state government won’t grant permission to inaugurate any puja before the Devi Paksha, which begins with Mahalaya. No puja will be allowed to block the National Highways and at least 13 arterial roads in Kolkata. There will be a ban on playing DJ music. Liquor outlets will remain closed on Mahashtami,” he said.

In August this year, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) issued ‘guidelines’ to Durga Puja organisers in West Bengal on selection of themes for pandals, consumption of non-veg food and the puja celebrations, triggering a row just two months ahead of the state’s biggest festival.

“I would appeal to you not to see these as restrictions but as decisions which have been taken unanimously and amicably. We are all equal. We are all stakeholders. The previous government imposed many things which need to be stopped,” he said.