Bengal bans liquor on Maha Ashtami, scraps Mamata-era Durga Puja carnival

The West Bengal government on Monday announced a complete ban on the sale and serving of liquor across the state on Maha Ashtami during the upcoming Durga Puja, while also scrapping the annual Red Road carnival introduced during the Mamata Banerjee government. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the measures at a coordination meeting with Durga Puja committees at Milan Mela Prangan in Kolkata, outlining a series of changes for the state’s first Durga Puja under the BJP government. All liquor shops will remain closed on Maha Ashtami and bars will also be prohibited from serving alcohol. “On the day when devotees offer anjali (Maha Ashtami) to Maa Durga, all liquor shops in the state will remain closed. There will be no liquor available in bars either,” Adhikari said.

Carnival discontinued

In another major departure from previous years, the government has decided to discontinue the post-Puja Durga Puja carnival on Red Road, where prominent committees traditionally displayed their idols before immersion. The event had been introduced during former chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure and had grown into a major annual spectacle. The government has instead planned cultural programmes in six major cities over two days and special programmes at six designated immersion ghats. Adhikari also announced a complete prohibition on DJ music during the Puja festivities and immersion processions, with the government stressing the need to maintain discipline and preserve the religious and traditional character of the celebrations.

Curbs on roads, themes

The Chief Minister asked Puja committees to exercise caution while choosing themes for pandals and idols, saying themes should not hurt religious sentiments or undermine Sanatan traditions. Theme-based Pujas will continue to be permitted. The government has also imposed restrictions on the use of major roads for Puja-related activities. National highways cannot be blocked for organising Pujas, while 13 important roads in Kolkata, including Red Road and Cathedral Road, have been identified where such activities will not be permitted. Puja inaugurations will not be allowed before the beginning of Devi Paksha, while committees have been asked to complete idol immersions within the stipulated period before Lakshmi Puja.

Adhikari said there would be no coercion over changing immersion dates and announced special arrangements to enable persons with disabilities, residents of old-age homes and people living in ashrams to visit Puja pandals. The government will also constitute an impartial jury for the Sharad Samman awards, with members selected for their knowledge of the traditional, ritual and cultural aspects of Durga Puja. Smaller Puja committees will be eligible for government assistance of Rs 1 lakh, while Adhikari appealed to financially stronger organisers to forgo the grant.