Ranchi: A row erupted over the theme of a Durga Pooja Pandal being erected in Jharkhand capital Ranchi after it resembles the Vatican City based Church, prompting critical response from Vishva Hindu Parishad [VHP] leaders.
As per reports, the said Pandal is being erected on the line of a Church located in the Vatican City at Rome, a sacred religious centre for the Christian community. The interiors of the Pandaal also resembles a Church like structure with portraits of Christian religious preachers, along with Jesus Christ placed inside.
The theme of the Pandal, however has now stirred a row with VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal training guns over the selection made by the organisers.
Sharing a video of the Pandal on social media platform X [formerly Twitter], the VHP spokesperson said “In Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, how the government’s game is being played against the belief, faith and religious sentiments of Hindus.”
Highlighting the theme of Pandal, Bansal said “For installation of Maa Durga Pratima, an entire Vatican City of Rome has been setup at RR sporting club, Ranchi.”
https://twitter.com/vinod_bansal/status/1971119693185577233?s=19
The VHP leader while naming an individual allegedly associated with the ruling JMM said that Durga Pooja Pandal have now become a place of conversion under his leadership.
“Under the leadership of JMM leader Vicky Yadav, Durga Pooja Pandals have now turned into hubs for religious conversion,” alleged Bansal.
Meanwhile JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey while reacting to the controversy said that the structure is just to attract the visitors.
“Those who want to create controversy will do so anyway. Regardless of the structure, is the worship ritual against the Sanatan Dharma? If so, the question will be valid, but the structure is just to attract the visitors,” said Pandey.
It is to be noted that Conversion through illegal means such as lure, fallacy has been a long-standing issue in tribal dominated states such as in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh etc.
