A government advertisement featuring an image of an 11-armed Goddess Durga has triggered a political controversy in West Bengal, with opposition parties taking aim at the BJP-led state government over the depiction.
The advertisement, issued by the state’s Information and Cultural Affairs Department ahead of Durga Puja, featured an image of Durga with 11 arms instead of the traditional 10. The advertisement also carried photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The unusual depiction quickly drew criticism from the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M), with leaders questioning how a government advertisement could carry an altered representation of the deity.
The TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee-led Kalighat faction also criticised the government, saying Durga Puja is deeply connected to Bengal’s cultural identity. “Durga Puja is not merely a festival; it is Bengal’s emotion and heartbeat,” the party said in a social media post, accusing the government of becoming increasingly disconnected from Bengali culture.
Sharing a snap of the advertisement, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, on social media, questioned the depiction. “But how did Maa get 11 hands in a government advertisement? How did Dashabhuja become Ekadashabhuja in 2026, and according to which scripture?” Ghosh wrote on this Facebook.
CPI(M) leader Satarup Ghosh also took a swipe at the BJP government over the image. Referring to the additional arm, he wrote that while the gods gave Durga ten hands and weapons to defeat the demon, “the BJP government has given the deity an extra hand” adding that “anyone imposing dietary restrictions on Bengalis during Puja could be driven out of the state.”
The controversy comes amid an ongoing debate over food restrictions and the cultural character of Durga Puja under the new BJP government in Bengal. Several Hindu organisations have opposed the sale of non-vegetarian food near temple premises during the festival, while questions have also been raised over restrictions on Puja themes.
The advertisement was published in several newspapers on Monday morning ahead of a meeting between Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Durga Puja committees at Milan Mela Prangan. The meeting is scheduled for 4 pm and is focused on preparations and coordination for the festival.
BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya sought to play down the controversy, attributing the unusual depiction to an error by the advertising agency.
“It is a mistake by the advertising agency. The mistake can be corrected. There is nothing political about it,” Bhattacharya said. He also responded to the controversy with a lighter remark, saying, “Maa has become even more powerful.”
The state administration and the Information and Cultural Affairs Department have not yet issued an official statement specifically addressing the disputed image.
