The fate of Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durga Puja, Kolkata’s oldest community Durga Puja, now lies before the Calcutta High Court after an election for key managing committee posts ended without a clear winner.
The puja, which is entering its 108th year, saw a deadlock on Sunday as both sides received 33 votes each for the posts of general secretary and four managing committee members. The High Court had earlier appointed two observers to oversee the election.
Bagbazar Puja election ends in 33-33 tie
A total of 66 members voted out of the 77 eligible voters. Eleven members, including several prominent members of the organising body, stayed away from the election.
Goutam Neogi, who is tied for the general secretary’s post, said the committee president, Samar Kumar Pal, should have been allowed to use a casting vote under the organisation’s bylaws when the election ended in a stalemate.
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“The observers did not allow the casting vote after an objection from one of the parties. We are now awaiting the court’s decision,” Times of India reported Neogi as saying.
The observers were appointed by the High Court after a plea was filed by the rival camp.
Woman alleges assault over voting
The election was also followed by a police complaint alleging assault and intimidation. A woman resident of Bosepara Lane approached Shyampukur Police Station, alleging that she was heckled, abused and physically assaulted after voting against a particular group.
Sukumar Mondal, who was named in the complaint, is reportedly aligned with former ward 7 councillor Bapi Ghosh. Ghosh has been seeking control of the puja’s organising committee since last year.
The dispute has added uncertainty to preparations for one of Kolkata’s most prominent traditional Durga Pujas. Organisers are yet to begin preparations in full swing, raising concern in the locality as the festival approaches.
Why Bagbazar Sarbojanin is significant
Bagbazar Sarbojanin began in 1919 at 55 Bagbazar Street as Nebubagan Barowari Durga Puja. After shifting through locations including Pashupati Bose Lane and Bagbazar Kali temple, it eventually moved to its permanent grounds.
Social worker Nagendra Nath Ghoshal helped formalise the committee and gave it the name Bagbazar Sarbojanin Durgotsav.
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In 1930, Calcutta Municipal Corporation alderman Durgacharan Bandyopadhyay became president and introduced a Swadeshi exhibition to promote Indian-made products. The venue was also associated with freedom movement activities. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose served as president in 1938-39, while Chittaranjan Das also used the venue to mobilise support and provide shelter to underground revolutionaries.
The puja continues to draw lakhs of devotees every year and retains its traditional format, including its well-known ekchala Durga idol, rather than adopting theme-based presentations.
Members seeking re-election have said they oppose a minister or councillor becoming the face of the puja. A panel backed by former minister Shashi Panja lost the 2022 election. Ghosh, who was then a councillor, allegedly attempted to take control of the puja last year but did not succeed.