As everyday the news come up with something related to religious controversy, another thing has come to notice where in Kolkata , at a Durga Puja pandal organised by the All India Hindu Mahasabha, depicted the ‘asura’ as a bespectacled, dhoti-clad bald man with a walking stick, appearing similar to Mahatma Gandhi. The organisers claimed the similarity was “coincidental” but maintained that Gandhi needs to be criticised for his role in the freedom movement.
When Chandrachur Goswami, working President of West Bengal state unit of All India Hindu Mahasabha was contacted , he said ,” A person with a bald head and wearing spectacles need not be Gandhi. See the asura is also holding a dhal (shield). Gandhi never held a dhal. It is coincidental that our asura whom Maa Durga is killing, looks like Gandhi. Many people said it looks like Gandhi. However, it is also true that Gandhi needs to be criticised.”
In regard to this incident , BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said, “We do not support such things. Such things are absolutely unacceptable and the administration should take immediate steps against the organisers.”Congress spokesperson Soumya Aich Roy said, Gandhi as ‘mahatma’ has been termed as great soul. Insult of such a great man is a shame not only to India but also to the whole world.”
