Without naming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that no government should give any donations to Durga Puja committees as it is a religious function. Durga Puja is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Assam. Sarma has been visiting puja pandals in different parts of the state since Saturday. Talking to reporters at Durga Puja celebrations in Karimganj, Sarma said that spending government money on organizing Durga Puja will lead to religious division in the country. If we give any grant for Durga Puja, then followers of other communities will Will demand it during his religious functions. Therefore, I believe this practice should not be encouraged. When asked about Rs 1.5 lakh being paid by the Assam government to the organizing committees during the Rongali Bihu festival this year, Sarma replied, Bihu is a cultural festival of Assam and has no religious connection. Notably, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement in August to give Rs 258 crore to clubs in the state for the upcoming Durga Puja has drawn widespread criticism. Every year for the last four years, CM Banerjee has been giving grants to worship committees, starting with a donation of Rs 10,000 to 28,000 committees in 2018.–IANS
