Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has issued a comprehensive set of new directions and guidelines for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations across West Bengal. Key measures include an unprecedented complete ban on the sale of liquor on Maha Ashtami, restrictions on immersion music, the cancellation of the post-festival carnival, and financial incentives for local puja committees.
Historic Ban on Liquor Sales For the first time in West Bengal’s political history, the state administration has ordered a total prohibition on alcohol sales during a primary day of Durga Puja. Addressing the state, Adhikari clarified that all liquor outlets, including standalone shops and bars, must remain completely closed on Maha Ashtami. He explained that the decision was taken out of respect for the deeply significant day when devotees offer traditional floral prayers to the Goddess. Previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress (TMC) governments had never implemented a dry day during the festive period.
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Discontinuation of the Red Road Carnival In another major policy shift, the Adhikari administration has permanently called off the annual post-Durga Puja carnival. Originally introduced during former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure, the mega-event featured a grand parade of elite idols along Kolkata’s iconic Red Road before their immersion in the Hooghly River. While popular with spectators and broadcast live across television networks, the event faced intense political backlash in recent years. Critics particularly condemned the continuation of the celebratory parade last year while severe flooding was devastating parts of North Bengal.
Restrictions on Immersions and Religious Sentiments New operational guidelines have also been laid down regarding idol immersion processions. The Chief Minister announced a strict prohibition on DJ music during immersion rallies and urged committee organizers to conclude all immersions before Lakshmi Puja, which falls on October 25 this year. Furthermore, Adhikari requested that organizers avoid controversial or artistic themes that distort traditional representations of Goddess Durga or hurt public religious and cultural sentiments, aligning with recent appeals made by groups such as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Financial Relief and Electricity Waivers To assist local organizers, the state government announced a grant of ₹1 lakh for qualifying community puja committees. Additional support measures include completely free electricity—backed by power utility CESC—and a full waiver of fees for mandatory fire safety licenses. However, Adhikari appealed to high-budget and affluent committees to voluntarily refrain from accepting state funds, encouraging them to rely instead on corporate advertising and traditional voluntary community subscriptions (‘chanda’).
