Mamata Banerjee Rejects Appeasement Charge, Highlights Durga Angan Project Amid Rising Hindu Cultural Assertion

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday strongly dismissed allegations of “appeasement politics,” asserting that her government follows true secularism while also upholding the state’s deeply rooted Hindu cultural traditions. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the ambitious Durga Angan cultural complex in New Town, Kolkata, Banerjee said repeated accusations against her were politically motivated and ignored her consistent engagement with Hindu festivals and heritage.

The Durga Angan project, envisioned as a major cultural hub dedicated to Goddess Durga and the globally renowned Durga Puja celebrations of Bengal, is expected to become one of the largest such complexes in the country. The chief minister described the initiative as a tribute to Bengali Hindu culture and an effort to preserve the artistic, religious, and social legacy of Durga Puja for future generations. She underlined that Durga Puja is not merely a festival but a symbol of Bengal’s identity, creativity, and spiritual strength.

Banerjee stressed that respecting all religions does not amount to appeasement, arguing that secularism in its true sense means equal regard for every faith. She pointed out that she has consistently participated in Hindu rituals, pujas, and temple-related events across the state, and questioned why such actions are often overlooked by her critics. According to her, celebrating Hindu traditions openly reflects Bengal’s inclusive ethos rather than political calculation.

Despite these assertions, the issue of appeasement continues to resonate strongly among large sections of the Hindu community in West Bengal. Critics argue that while high-profile cultural projects are welcome, they do not erase long-standing concerns about selective sensitivity and the perceived dilution of Hindu religious spaces. Controversies surrounding certain events held during Durga Puja in recent years have further fuelled the belief among many Hindus that their sentiments were not always given due priority.

Against this backdrop, announcements related to Hindu religious infrastructure, including plans for major temple projects in north Bengal, have generated renewed expectations among devotees. Many see these moves as long-overdue recognition of the majority community’s faith and cultural aspirations in a state where Hindu traditions have historically shaped social life.

The political undertone of the debate remains strong, with the opposition maintaining pressure on the Trinamool Congress over issues of governance, land use, and cultural symbolism. As West Bengal moves closer to another crucial electoral cycle, the question of who genuinely stands for Hindu cultural interests has become central to public discourse.

For a large section of Hindu voters, the coming months will be a test of intent rather than rhetoric. Cultural projects like Durga Angan are being closely watched as symbols of whether Bengal’s ancient Hindu heritage will be firmly protected and promoted, or whether it will continue to be entangled in political controversy.