Now Reading: Bengal CM Adhikari’s ‘only Sanatanis’ remark sparks backlash
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Bengal CM Adhikari’s ‘only Sanatanis’ remark sparks backlash
The Story in Brief
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, directed that only those who 'believe in Sanatana Dharma' should handle Durga idols during immersion in Kolkata, triggering criticism from opposition leaders who called the remarks 'divisive'. While inspecting arrangements at Baje Kadamtala Ghat, Adhikari said he instructed the police commissioner to record names of participants and that traditions must be strictly adhered to.
The Deccan Chronicle reports that on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, Adhikari accused the previous Trinamool Congress regime of atrocities on 'Sanatani' Hindus at a 'Ravan Dahan' event. He alleged 'Sanatanis' had to go to court for permission during the previous government, and said the BJP government ensured infiltrators left the country.
Opposition leaders criticised the immersion directive. CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya accused the chief minister of 'anti-constitutional activities' and trying to establish Hindu fundamentalism. Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said the remarks were 'divisive' and that Maa belongs to everyone regardless of caste or creed. The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights said the statement violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Deccan Chronicle leads with the chief minister's allegations against the previous TMC regime and his claim of increased Durga Pujas, omitting any mention of the backlash from his immersion remark. The Indian Express leads with that backlash, quoting opposition leaders and a human rights group who call the directive divisive and unconstitutional. The two outlets cover different parts of the same day's news: the first reports a political rally, the second reports the controversy from a separate event. A combined reading shows the chief minister's two statements on successive days, the first attacking the previous government, the second setting a religious condition for idol immersion, and the sharp political response the latter provoked from the CPI(M), Trinamool Congress, and a rights body.
Coverage: 2 sources, 1 pro-government, 1 government-critical
Sources (2): deccanchronicle.com (pro government), indianexpress.com (government critical)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
