Durga Puja 2024: World’s Largest Durga Idol Project Halted Before Inauguration in Ranaghat
Ranaghat’s much-anticipated “largest Durga idol of Bengal” has faced a significant setback as the district administration once again revoked its permission. On Tuesday, the District Magistrate of Nadia cited concerns over crowd control and the potential for casualties as the reasons behind the cancellation. Despite a pending case in the Calcutta High Court, the organizers have decided to cancel the event due to financial constraints and the administrative ruling.
112-Foot Idol Plans Scrapped
Kamalpur Abhijan Sangha in Ranaghat had announced the creation of a 112-foot tall Durga idol, which they claimed would be the largest in Bengal. However, due to safety concerns, the police denied permission for the event. The organizers approached the Calcutta High Court, where the administration argued that, similar to the 2015 Deshapriya Park incident, the massive crowd expected to view the giant idol could lead to dangerous situations, including stampedes.
On Monday, Justice Rajarshi Bhardwaj suggested considering alternative arrangements, such as allowing the public to view the idol from outside without entering the pandal. Following this, the district magistrate submitted a report on Tuesday confirming the risks involved.
Safety Concerns Lead to Cancellation
According to the district magistrate’s report, the pandal was set up on a narrow 12-foot-wide road, the only route connecting nearby villages. Over 8,600 villagers rely on this road for daily needs and emergency services, such as ambulances. In the event of large crowds, controlling the situation would be extremely difficult. Even with sufficient police and volunteers, managing such a gathering posed significant risks. Consequently, the administration was forced to revoke the permission to avoid any potential loss of life.
Legal Battle and Financial Strain
The High Court lawyers for the organizers, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya and Firdaus Shamim, argued that the pandal was set up in an open field, unlike the enclosed environment at Deshapriya Park. They further added that the Durga idol could have earned a place in the Guinness World Records, with UNESCO representatives showing interest in visiting.
However, due to financial limitations, the organizers have decided to withdraw the case. Sujoy Biswas, a member of the puja committee, stated, “We tried to create something unique with contributions from the villagers. Now, we lack the financial means to continue fighting the case, so we have no choice but to cancel the puja and withdraw the legal proceedings.”
