Holi Controversy In Bengal, Poster At Shantiniketan Sparks Political Row
Kolkata:
A poster proscribing celebrations with colors at an iconic artisan honest in Shantiniketan, the abode of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore about 180 km from Kolkata, has sparked a political controversy in West Bengal forward of Holi.
After the submit went viral, the BJP has accused the ruling Trinamool of imposing a ban on Holi celebrations at Sonajhuri Haat, however the Mamata Banerjee authorities has claimed that the intention was solely to protect greenery.
“Reserved forest space: Enjoying with colors, automotive parking, videography and drone digital camera utilization are prohibited,” reads the poster in Bengali.
Suvendu Adhikari, Chief of the Opposition within the Bengal meeting, claimed it isn’t a one-off incident and accused the Bengal authorities of appeasement.
“In 2025, for the primary time, conferences had been held at each police station for Holi. It is a particular month (Ramzan) for one more neighborhood and Holi falls on a Friday this time. The police have brazenly declared Holi shouldn’t be celebrated, colors needs to be used, and even threatened arrests,” claimed Mr Adhikari, a former aide of Mamata Banerjee.
In one other occasion, he claimed {that a} high police officer in Birbhum district has given a ten am deadline to wrap up Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan because it was a Friday. “The police, administration and the state authorities are doing divisive politics and politics of appeasement,” alleged Mr Adhikari.
Coinciding with Holi and Dol Jatra, Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan celebrates the arrival of spring with colors and cultural occasions – an one-of-a-kind celebration began by Tagore throughout the Twenties.
State Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda has denied any restriction on taking part in Holi at Sonajhuri and accused the BJP of attempting to politicise the matter.
“It is a request to protect the character. There is no such thing as a restriction. If anybody desires to play Holi, they’ll. The BJP has no different difficulty to do politics that is why they’re doing this,” stated the minister. She has additionally sought a report from the District Forest Officer and stated an enquiry was underway.
