Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen and his wife Madhuchhanda Sen are reportedly embroiled in controversy over alleged irregularities in connection with Durga Puja since 2022. A formal complaint has been lodged with Kolkata Police, accusing them of misappropriating UNESCO branding for commercial gain through a ticketing racket. The accusations were raised by Jaydeep Mukherjee, an international travel consultant and promoter of Durga Puja.

According to the complaint, Sen, his spouse, and members of the organisation Mass Art allegedly exploited the UNESCO name to sell premium viewing passes for various Durga Puja pandals. Mukherjee alleges that the couple misled the public by falsely claiming an official partnership with UNESCO following the inscription of Kolkata’s Durga Puja on the agency’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021.

Claims of Restricted Access and Financial Mismanagement

The complaint details that the couple established the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society in June 2022 and subsequently misrepresented themselves as partners of UNESCO for the promotion of Durga Puja in West Bengal. The organisation reportedly sold preview tickets for Rs 4,000, granting access to 24 selected pandals in Kolkata. Mukherjee contends these pandals were not officially endorsed by UNESCO, contradicting the promotional claims made.

The ticket buyers were allegedly promised visits from UNSCO representatives during these preview events, which Mukherjee asserts never materialised. The complaint emphasises that the alleged exploitation was hidden under the guise of political influence, perpetrating a scam that spanned from 2022 to 2024.

Furthermore, the complaint raises concerns regarding a donor pass introduced in 2025, through which funds were supposedly meant to benefit artisans and puja committees. Mukherjee has claimed that there is a lack of transparent financial audits or documentation to support how the funds have been used, leaving questions about the legitimacy of such claims.

Concerns About Public Access and Community Sentiments

Mukherjee highlights that the dynamics of the Durga Puja festivities have shifted from being an open celebration of spirituality and artistry to a more commercial venture. He argues that this change has caused tension among devotees and has undermined the traditional inclusive nature of the festival.

Kolkata Police have yet to issue a statement regarding the allegations made in the complaint. The document demands stringent action against the accused parties for their purported deception of the public, wrongful commercialisation of a significant religious festival, and the distress caused to devotees. The prospect of a formal investigation or potential criminal proceedings will depend on the police’s evaluation of the complaint and its accompanying evidence.

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