Spokesperson Sarnath Ghosh says committee will submit all documents, but targeting a 90-year-old cultural institution is unacceptable

Kolkata, 27 July (H.S.): The historic Deshapriya Park Durgotsab Committee has alleged that it is being unnecessarily harassed following the formation of the new government in West Bengal. The committee claimed that although the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had allotted it office space in 2021 for conducting Durga Puja and all relevant legal documents are in place, it has recently been served with repeated notices seeking fresh documentation.

Speaking exclusively to Hindusthan Samachar, committee spokesperson Sarnath Ghosh said a new executive committee assumed office in February this year. Soon after the new committee began streamlining administrative work, and following the swearing-in of the new state government, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation started issuing notices to the organisation.

According to Ghosh, the latest notice, dated July 24, asked the committee to submit all records related to the club and its office premises. He maintained that the committee possesses the government-issued deed agreement, lease-related documents and all other statutory records. Requiring a nearly 90-year-old institution to resubmit such documents, he said, raises serious questions.

Ghosh asserted that the committee would fully cooperate with the authorities and furnish every document sought by the KMC. However, he described the repeated notices to a historic, non-political cultural organisation as unjustified and unacceptable.

He further alleged that a group of ultra-left activists, in collusion with certain municipal officials, was attempting to create difficulties for the committee. According to him, there is also an attempt to drag the organisation into political controversy, despite the fact that the committee, established in 1938, has never been affiliated with any political party.

The spokesperson said the Deshapriya Park Durgotsab Committee, one of Kolkata's most celebrated Durga Puja organisers, has been conducting the festival continuously for nearly nine decades. Despite its long-standing non-political character, he alleged that attempts are now being made to portray the committee as being aligned with the Trinamool Congress. He also claimed that efforts were being made to take control of the committee's funds and influence its functioning.

Minister Swapan Dasgupta Yet to Grant Appointment

Ghosh said the committee had tried to bring the matter to the attention of local public representatives but had received no meaningful assistance. Several members attempted to meet local MLA and West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, whose residence is located barely 200–300 metres from the committee's office. However, they have not yet been able to secure an appointment, he said.

Appeal to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

The committee has also appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for intervention. Ghosh said the committee has tried to contact the Chief Minister and inform him of the developments, expressing hope that such a historic and respected Durga Puja organisation would not be subjected to unnecessary harassment.

The committee reiterated that it respects the rule of law and will submit every document sought by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. It also expressed confidence that the administration would take an impartial view based on facts and would not allow an institution with such a long cultural legacy to be disturbed.

Ghosh also warned that the committee would initiate legal action against those spreading what it described as false and defamatory allegations against the organisation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh