Union Home Minister Amit Shah used the inauguration of a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Friday to make a clear political statement, declaring that he had prayed for a new state government after the 2026 assembly elections that would restore Bengal’s lost 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal) glory.
Speaking at the Santosh Mitra Square pandal in north Kolkata, Shah asserted that Bengal should once again become safe, peaceful, and prosperous, fulfilling the dream of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. He extended his greetings to the people of Bengal and the nation for the festival.
He also paid a visit to the Kalighat Temple and offered prayers. Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the state, spent around 15 minutes at the shrine and offered puja. He was welcomed by several party leaders and activists, who were present outside the temple.
The entire area was cordoned off and security boosted for the home minister's visit, an official said.
Shah described Bengal’s Durga Puja festivities as a cultural treasure admired across the globe.
“This nine-day Navratri festival has become famous not only in Bengal and India, but all over the world. This great tradition of Bengal is witnessed with great joy by the whole world. For nine days, everyone in Bengal dedicates themselves to the worship of Shakti,” he said.
"May the festival of Durga Puja lead Bengal towards new heights, and through the development of the state, may we be able to realise the dream of a developed India that our leader Narendra Modi ji has envisioned,” added Shah.
The home minister also inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal of the BJP-backed Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake.
The senior BJP leader also paid tribute to educationist and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on his birth anniversary.
“No one can forget what Vidyasagar ji did for education, not only in Bengal but throughout the country during the colonial era. He dedicated his entire life to the Bengali language, the state’s culture and the education of women. Today, on behalf of crores of BJP workers, I bow to the feet of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar,” Shah said.
While in the city, the Home Minister also conveyed his condolences for the 11 people who recently lost their lives following torrential rain in the metropolis and adjoining areas on September 23.
Shah had arrived in Kolkata on Thursday night and was received at the airport by senior state Bharatiya Janata Party leader Rahul Sinha. His itinerary includes offering prayers at the Kalighat temple in south Kolkata, and later inaugurating a second Durga Puja pandal, backed by the BJP, at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake.
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