Which scripture? Bengal govt's 11-armed Goddess Durga ad triggers political row

A West Bengal government advertisement depicting Goddess Durga with eleven arms instead of the traditional ten has triggered a political row. Trinamool Congress and CPM leaders criticised the depiction, while BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya called it an agency error that would be rectified.11 arms, one big row: Bengal govt ad sparks Durga Puja controversy An advertisement by the West Bengal government depicting Goddess Durga with eleven arms instead of the traditional ten, published in newspapers across the state today, has triggered a political row, with the CPM and Trinamool Congress accusing the BJP of mocking Hindu scriptures.According to Hindu sacred texts, Goddess Durga possesses ten arms and is worshipped in her Dashabhuja form. However, the advertisement released on Monday by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs for a meeting with Puja committees regarding the 2026 Durga Puja at Milan Mela, where the Chief Minister is expected to be present, shows the goddess with eleven arms.The depiction of the extra arm and weapon, which does not align with Puranic descriptions, has triggered controversy, with political parties questioning the BJP's intentions behind the advertisement.Trinamool MLA Kunal Ghosh posted a sarcastic comment on the advertisement. He wrote, "No themes allowed, no distortions permitted... I witnessed a barrage of threats and strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Yet, how did 'Ma' end up with 11 arms in a government advertisement? According to which scripture did Dashabhuja (the ten-armed one) transform into Ekadash-bhuja (the eleven-armed one) for 2026?"Reacting to the controversy, West Bengal's BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, "Ma Durga has become even more powerful." "I haven't seen the advertisement yet. However, the mistake made by an agency is not a political issue; it will be rectified," he added.CPM leader Shatarup Ghosh also shared the image of the advertisement with a scathing remark."A wonderful government advertisement! Here, Ma Durga has eleven arms. The gods had bestowed weapons upon Durga in ten hands to slay the Asura (demon). Meanwhile, the BJP government has gifted the deity an extra arm," he wrote.The Trinamool Congress was also unsparing, calling the advertisement "insulting.""So now, according to the @BJP4Bengal government, Maa Durga has 11 hands? From their leaders to the Chief Minister, this repeated mishandling of Maa Durga and Bengal’s cultural traditions is deeply insulting!" the Facebook handle of the Trinamool Congress tweeted."Durga Puja is not just a festival, it is an emotion and the very heartbeat of Bengal. Maa’s homecoming is sacred to millions of Bengalis. Yet a government that claims to speak for Bengal seems increasingly disconnected from Bengali culture, traditions and the festivals that define Bengal’s identity," it added.The Trinamool Congress went on to question whether depicting Maa Durga with eleven hands was "acceptable."Calling it "enough is enough," the Trinamool Congress asked, "Why is the BJP so alien to Bengali culture that, under the Chief Minister’s watch, the government finds it acceptable to misrepresent and trivialise Maa Durga?"- EndsPublished By: Sayan GangulyPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 16:11 IST