New Delhi – A fierce political confrontation has emerged between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party as the AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy intensifies over Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s appeal for prayers at religious pandals. The dispute centers on allegations of faith politicization ahead of the upcoming festive season, creating significant tensions between the two major political parties.
The controversy originated from a video featuring Chief Minister Gupta making statements about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming birthday celebrations on September 17, which has become the focal point of the current AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy.
Chief Minister’s Sewa Pakhwada Appeal Sparks Debate
In the disputed video, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta can be heard urging people to mark Prime Minister Modi’s birthday as part of a comprehensive “sewa pakhwada,” a dedicated fortnight of public service initiatives. The AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy escalated when Gupta suggested that devotees should pray for the Prime Minister’s health and longevity by placing his photograph near Durga idols at festival pandals.
Gupta’s statement specifically mentioned the period from September 17 to October 2, during which Delhi would witness various welfare initiatives. She expressed her wish that Durga Puja pandals would undertake service work and pray for the Prime Minister by placing his image at the goddess’s feet.
The Chief Minister emphasized that her appeal was part of broader service activities including blood donation drives, health camps, and cleanliness initiatives across the national capital.
AAP’s Strong Opposition and Community Concerns
The Aam Aadmi Party responded with sharp criticism, with Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj leading the charge against what his party perceives as religious interference. The AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy deepened when Bharadwaj alleged that the Chief Minister had decreed mandatory placement of Modi’s photographs in pandals.
Bharadwaj characterized the move as an insult to Hindu faith, stating that bringing politics into Mother Durga’s worship was unacceptable. He emphasized that Delhi would never tolerate such interference in religious practices, making the AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy a matter of religious sentiment protection.
The AAP leader specifically highlighted concerns within Delhi’s Bengali community, noting their deep anger over the alleged politicization. The Bengali community celebrates Durga Puja extensively in areas like Chittaranjan Park, Dwarka, and Rohini, making their reaction particularly significant to the AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy.
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Bharadwaj stressed that Durga Puja represents an inherently service-oriented celebration rather than a commercial event, urging the Chief Minister to avoid tampering with Bengali faith traditions.
BJP’s Counter-Arguments and Historical Precedents
The Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed the allegations as manufactured outrage, with Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva defending the Chief Minister’s intentions. The AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy took another turn when BJP leaders argued that Gupta had merely encouraged prayer for Modi’s good health while promoting welfare initiatives.
Sachdeva highlighted the hypocrisy in AAP’s position by pointing to historical precedents involving former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy expanded when BJP leaders revealed that Kejriwal’s photographs had been prominently displayed during Chhath Puja celebrations and that his government had consistently encouraged Puja Samitis to display portraits of Kejriwal, Sisodia, and local MLAs.
The BJP’s defense strategy involved drawing parallels with other political leaders’ involvement in religious festivals, arguing that such practices were not unprecedented in Indian politics.
West Bengal Comparisons and Broader Political Context
BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor expanded the AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy by invoking comparisons with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He alleged that Banerjee’s government forces Puja committees to display her images, creating a broader pattern of political interference in religious celebrations.
The BJP released photographic evidence showing Kejriwal’s portraits at previous year’s Puja pandals, supporting their argument that the AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy represented selective outrage rather than genuine concern for religious sanctity.
Kapoor characterized both Kejriwal and Banerjee as playing victim roles while having previously engaged in similar practices, attempting to deflect criticism through this broader political context.
Impact on Festive Season and Community Relations
The AAP BJP Durga Puja controversy threatens to overshadow the upcoming festive celebrations, potentially affecting community harmony during one of Delhi’s most significant religious festivals. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between political parties regarding the appropriate boundaries between governance and religious observance.
The controversy’s resolution will likely influence how political leaders engage with religious festivals in the future, establishing precedents for faith-based political discourse in Delhi’s increasingly polarized political environment.
