West Bengal Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chatterjee has sparked a state-wide political debate after strongly defending his proposal encouraging local police stations across West Bengal to organize traditional Kali Pujas and install idols of Goddess Kali.

Addressing backlash over his remarks in Suri, Birbhum, Chatterjee argued that celebrating Kali Puja within police stations is a long-standing regional policing tradition rather than a routine religious ritual. He maintained that divine worship within law enforcement premises helps officers seek spiritual guidance while encouraging detainees to reflect on their actions, comparing the initiative to Saraswati Puja celebrations in educational institutions.

Political Friction and Historical Context

Challenging past and present political narratives, Chatterjee targeted former Chief Ministers Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, alongside current Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He noted that while police station pujas remained largely unquestioned during Basu’s tenure, Bhattacharjee later attempted to restrict them out of what he termed political appeasement.

Grounding his argument in constitutional procedure, the Minister referenced the Third Schedule of the Constitution of India regarding ministerial oaths.

“When taking the oath as a cabinet minister, I swore in the name of God to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution established by law,” Chatterjee said. “If our constitutional allegiance relies on faith in God, then recognizing this faith within police culture is entirely justified.”

Call for Symbolic Atonement

Chatterjee also pointed to an incident during last year’s celebrations in South 24 Parganas, where an idol was reportedly transported using a police vehicle, stating that the law enforcement agency must make amends for past disrespect shown to the deity.

Asserting that organizing widespread Kali Pujas across stations under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari would serve as a symbolic act of restoration, Chatterjee emphasized that the move represents cultural reverence and institutional atonement for the state’s police force.

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