After a Durga puja pandal that was sponsored by the organisation purportedly modelled the Asur after Mahatma Gandhi, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha became the centre of controversy.
The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has now called for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s image to replace Mahatma Gandhi’s on bank notes, igniting new debate. “We believe that Netaji made an equal or greater contribution to the nation’s freedom struggle than Mahatma Gandhi. Thus, having Netaji’s image on banknotes is the ideal approach to honour India’s greatest freedom fighter. It should be Netaji’s image in place of Gandhi’s, “At a press conference in Kolkata, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha’s West Bengal working president Chandrachur Goswami made a statement.
This follows the controversy that erupted when a Hindu group placed an idol of Mahushasur in a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal that resembled Mahatma Gandhi. Although the group denied portraying Mahatma Gandhi as Asur, the image of the bald-headed Asur with round glasses and white dhoti went viral and incited indignation. “Gandhi was not meant to be portrayed as Mahishasur by us. It wasn’t deliberate. Those attempting to stir up controversy about the matter should not do so, “earlier, the group stated.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded angrily to the Asur controversy by saying that those who insulted Mahatma Gandhi would receive a proper response from the populace. “Shamefully, they attempted to denigrate Durga Puja by portraying Mahatma Gandhi, the nation’s founding father, as a “asur.” We all revere Gandhiji “Earlier, the chief minister stated.
In addition, the Hindu Mahasabha said that it will run in West Bengal’s panchayat elections the following year. “The rights of Hindu Bengalis have not been able to be upheld by either the TMC or the BJP. To defend their rights, we’ll battle. We also oppose the call for dividing Bengal made by some BJP leaders. We want to work to make the state stronger “said Goswami.