While some clubs have spent two to five million rupees, while others have allocated a million, the Durga puja committees have not cut any corners in their efforts to enthrall guests with a variety of themes and intricate lighting. But amid all of this, an unexpected crisis has surfaced involving the priests who are responsible for everything from performing anjali and sandhipuja to offering bhog to Durga and leading the evening arati.
In a bid to manage the throngs, police have erected barricades on all roads leading into Malda's Englishbazar from 3 PM to 2 AM during the Durga Puja days. A total of 79 drop gates have been installed to restrict motorcycle and car movements. Except for emergency services, no one is permitted to enter with motorized vehicles.
This police directive has exacerbated the situation. The quandary lies in how priests commuting from outside the city on motorcycles will manage. Where are their passes? If they fail to reach the Durga Puja pandals in time, how will the rituals from Durga's bodhan to the whole puja proceed? Several Durga puja committee heads in Englishbazar find themselves in a predicament. Despite day-long efforts, many have failed to procure police passes.
On Sunday morning, numerous Durga Puja committee officials waited for hours outside the Superintendent of Police's office for motorcycle passes for their priests.
Anil Prasad, secretary of the Youth Club on KJ Sanyal Road in Englishbazar, laments, “Debashis Chakraborty from Sahapur area of Old Malda block has been conducting our club's Durga puja for generations. The pandal is at least five kilometers away from the priest's residence. Walking is simply not feasible”.
Drop gates have been installed from 3 PM on Sasthi and will be removed at 2 AM. Our priest would need to navigate at least six drop gates to reach us. In this scenario, “a motorcycle pass is absolutely crucial”.
He added, “We had submitted a written application to the Englishbazar police station for the pass. Subsequently, that application was forwarded to the Superintendent of Police's office. Yet, the issue remains unresolved. We find ourselves in an absurd predicament”.
Kalyan Samiti, known for its big-budget Durga puja in Englishbazar, is equally concerned. Club secretary Amitabh Sheth said, “Our priests come from outside. I never imagined such complications would arise regarding motorcycle passes for their commute. To resolve this, we're now considering renting accommodations for the priests as the only viable solution”.
Abhijit Bhattacharya, Malda district secretary of the Bengal Priest Association, expressed his concern: “Our organization comprises 200 priests. If such harassment persists, we'll need to reconsider conducting pujas in the future”.
The district police were unavailable for comment. District Magistrate Nitin Singhania stated, “This is a matter of utmost importance. Steps are being taken to address the issue”.
