Kolkata's Ganga Aarti faces problem as army raises concerns on construction

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Ganga Aarti on March 2 at Babughat, introducing the Varanasi style of worship at Bajekadmatla Ghat. However, hasty planning has led to a series of difficulties during the organization of the event.

To address these challenges, a meeting was held at Bajekadmatla today, which was attended by officials from the Calcutta Municipal Corporation, Transport Department, railway officers, and high-ranking officers of the Calcutta Police. Colonel Bhumi Shyam Dev Vats represented the army at the meeting and criticized the state administration, raising several questions.

Colonel Vats questioned the need to build a Ganga temple when the river herself is present. He also raised concerns that if a temple is built now, it could set a precedent for other religions to build their structures, which could cause further conflicts.

The question left the officials in silence, and the meeting continued with a focus on finding a solution to the issues faced during the organization of the Ganga Aarti.

The Ganga Aarti has been an important cultural event in many parts of India, and its introduction in Kolkata has received mixed reactions from locals. Despite the initial hiccups, the event is expected to continue in the city, albeit with some modifications to address the issues raised during the meeting.