Kolkata Welcomes Amit Shah for Durga Puja Inaugurations

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Thursday night to participate in the city’s iconic Durga Puja festivities, a cornerstone of Bengal’s cultural identity. Greeted at the airport by senior state BJP leader Rahul Sinha, Shah’s visit on Friday, September 26, 2025, blends devotion with political undertones, drawing attention from both devotees and political observers across West Bengal.

Shah’s itinerary began with the inauguration of the Santosh Mitra Square Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity pandal in north Kolkata, a grand setup organized by BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh. This year’s pandal, themed around ‘Operation Sindoor,’ has already garnered buzz for its bold and creative depiction, reflecting the festival’s tradition of blending art with social commentary. Shah’s presence at the pandal underscores the BJP’s efforts to connect with Bengal’s cultural pulse during one of its most significant festivals.

Following this, Shah visited the historic Kalighat temple in south Kolkata, where he offered prayers to Goddess Kali, a revered deity in the region. The temple, a spiritual epicenter for millions, provided a solemn moment in his packed schedule, with locals and devotees thronging to catch a glimpse of the high-profile visitor.

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Later in the day, Shah inaugurated another Durga Puja pandal organized by the BJP-backed Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake. This event further highlighted the party’s push to align itself with Bengal’s cultural heritage, a move seen by some as a strategic outreach ahead of future political battles in the state. Shah is set to depart Kolkata in the evening, leaving behind a trail of festive fervor and speculation about the BJP’s growing influence in West Bengal.

The visit comes at a time when Durga Puja, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, draws millions to Kolkata’s elaborately decorated pandals. Shah’s participation has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising his engagement with local traditions and critics viewing it as a calculated political maneuver in a state where the BJP faces stiff competition from the ruling Trinamool Congress. As Kolkata immerses itself in the five-day festival, Shah’s presence adds a layer of intrigue to the celebrations, blending spirituality, culture, and politics in the heart of Bengal.

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