'Mahishasura' idol resembling Mahatma Gandhi at Kolkata Durga Puja pandal sparks row

KOLKATA: Organisers at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata had to change the look of a 'Mahishasura' idol with a wig and a moustache, which bore an uncanny resemblance to Mahatma Gandhi and stoked a controversy.
The police had to step in at the Durga Puja mandap organised by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha in south Kolkata’s Ruby Park on Sunday evening after several complaints.
Police said multiple complaints against the Puja organisers across Bengal for disrespecting Mahatma Gandhi, which the idol resembled, have prompted them to register an FIR at the Kasba police station.
The alleged attempts to disrespect Gandhi have drawn strong protests, several on social media platforms.
"A case has been registered under sections 188, 283, 153B and 34 of the IPC. We have collected relevant photographs and footage," said joint police commissioner (crime) Murlidhar Sharma.
Police have also contacted the idol maker to ascertain what specific instructions were given to him.
A demand was also raised for stronger police action against the organisers.
“It should be immediately ensured that such incidents do not happen elsewhere in the state. Legal action must be taken against the Hindu Mahasabha for spreading hatred and falsifying history,” said filmmaker Dwaipayan Banerjee.
Chandrachur Goswami, the working president of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, a key functionary of the puja organising committee, said, “Any resemblance of the Asura idol with Gandhiji is purely coincidental. But it is true we don’t believe in Gandhi ideologies.”
The organisers even held a demonstration and road blockade at Ruby crossing on Monday afternoon in protest against alleged police action.