Ahmedabad plane crash themed Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata sparks outrage

A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has come under fire for depicting the Ahmedabad plane crash as its theme, drawing widespread criticism on social media. 

The clip shared in the r/IndianCivicFails community on Reddit showed the pandal designed to depict a crashed aircraft, complete with surrounding debris and artificial flames. It showed the plane wreckage falling onto a building, which many users called insensitive toward the victims’ families.

“This is disgraceful,” a user commented. One wrote, “This is very insensitive. Well, these kinda folks loot money from common folks and make these pandals and such. Extortion in the name of religion. I am happy doing my puja at home. I don’t need any pandals or temples. Religion is sickening no matter which.”

The organisers defended the display, saying it was intended as a tribute to the victims and the rescue personnel involved in the incident. However, the public largely rejected this explanation, calling the theme inappropriate and disrespectful.

The controversy has reignited debate over the balance between artistic expression and sensitivity in public displays.