The TMC on Monday took a dig at the Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government for releasing an advertisement in newspapers depicting a "distorted" image of Goddess Durga, where the deity was shown with 11 arms instead of the traditional 10.
The advertisement announced a coordination meeting that Adhikari is scheduled to chair with various Durga Puja committees in the city later in the day.
The meeting, organised jointly by the Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation in collaboration with the state information and cultural affairs department, aims to ensure the biggest festival of the state is celebrated in a safe, organised and peaceful manner.
TMC questions depiction of Goddess Durga
"Honourable Chief Minister, in the government advertisement, Maa Durga, who is traditionally depicted as 'doshobhuja' (ten-armed), has become 'ekadoshbhuja' (eleven-armed). According to the scriptures, one hand needs to be removed," wrote TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on X, while posting an image of the government poster bearing photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adhikari besides an image of the Goddess.
"We hear about various codes of conduct every day. If the number of the Mother's arms increases in 2026, the matter could become complicated. Please immediately instruct the department concerned not to distort the original depiction of the Mother Goddess," he added with an apparent sarcastic note.
Taking to its social media handles, the TMC said the "mishandling of Maa Durga and Bengal's cultural traditions is deeply insulting!"
"Durga Puja is not just a festival, it is an emotion and the very heartbeat of Bengal. Maa's homecoming is sacred to millions of Bengalis. Yet a government that claims to speak for Bengal seems increasingly disconnected from Bengali culture, traditions and the festivals that define Bengal's identity," the party said.
TMC accuses BJP of disconnect with Bengali culture
It blamed the cross-section of saffron party leaders all the way up to the chief minister for their "disconnect" with the state's traditions.
"Why is the BJP so alien to Bengali culture that, under the Chief Minister's watch, the government finds it acceptable to misrepresent and trivialise Maa Durga?" the party wrote on X.