A Durga Puja pandal in Ranchi, organized by the RR Sporting Club, has sparked controversy after initially featuring an image of Jesus Christ within its Vatican City-themed structure. Following protests from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the image was replaced with one of Lord Krishna.
The RR Sporting Club's Durga Puja pandal, located on Ratu Road in Ranchi, was designed to resemble the Vatican Museum in Rome. The structure, costing approximately Rs 85 lakh, was intended to be an eco-friendly replica of the Vatican City, complete with elements reminiscent of European cathedrals, including domes, tall pillars, and statues. The pandal was constructed by 70 to 80 artisans and was set to host a 12-foot-tall statue of Goddess Bhagwati, specially crafted in Kolkata.
The controversy arose when the VHP alleged that the pandal's design, particularly the inclusion of the image of Jesus Christ, hurt Hindu sentiments and promoted religious conversion. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal voiced his concerns on social media, stating that the pandal was a "hub for religious conversion" and accused the organizers of "playing with the faith of Hindus". Other Hindu organizations, such as the Hindu Jagran Manch and Janjati Suraksha Manch, also expressed strong opposition. Vikram Sharma, the provincial convener of the Hindu Jagran Manch, stated that such actions would be strongly opposed and that tampering with Hindu faith would not be tolerated.
In response to the controversy, the RR Sporting Club decided to replace the image of Jesus Christ with that of Lord Krishna. Vicky Yadav, the club's patron, clarified that the decision was made by the puja committee members to showcase all religions on the same platform and was not solely due to the protests. He emphasized that the European-style statues placed outside the pandal were retained and that the overall design aimed to promote peace and brotherhood.
Yadav defended the pandal's theme, stating that it was inspired by India's multi-faith culture and that the club has been promoting Sanatan Dharma for the last 50 years through its Durga Puja celebrations. He referenced the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata, which had created a Vatican City-themed pandal in 2022, as inspiration. He also shared videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting churches abroad during official trips, underscoring India's commitment to religious harmony.
Despite the replacement of the image, the controversy continued, with some questioning the intent behind the initial design and demanding an investigation into the funding and motivation of the organizers. Bansal called the pandal design "a dangerous experiment meant to mislead the innocent Adivasis" and called for an investigation into who funded the initiative. Babulal Marandi, a leader of the opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, emphasized the importance of respecting religious traditions.
The incident has ignited a debate about religious sentiments, cultural expression, and secularism in India, particularly during religious festivals. While the RR Sporting Club maintained that its intention was to promote harmony and celebrate India's diverse religious landscape, the VHP and other Hindu organizations viewed the initial design as offensive and an attempt to undermine Hindu beliefs. The controversy underscores the delicate balance between artistic expression, religious sensitivities, and the need for mutual respect in a multi-religious society.
