West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Offers Apology for Government Ad's 11-Armed Durga Depiction

In an unexpected turn of events on September 7, 2026, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari found himself issuing a public apology. The reason? A state government advertisement, intended to celebrate the upcoming Durga Puja, had inadvertently caused a stir by depicting Goddess Durga with an unusual eleventh arm.

The gaffe, you see, was no small matter in a state deeply rooted in its cultural and religious traditions. For Bengalis, Maa Durga is famously 'Dashabhuja,' the one with ten arms, each holding a significant weapon. To suddenly portray her as 'Ekadashbhuja,' with eleven arms, was a deviation that certainly raised eyebrows, and frankly, quite a bit of consternation.

Speaking at a crucial Durga Puja coordination meeting held at Milan Mela Prangan in Kolkata, Chief Minister Adhikari took full responsibility. "It was an erroneous advertisement, a defect on our part," he admitted, his voice conveying genuine regret. "Those responsible have been cautioned, and I assure you, as the Chief Minister of this state, we will be much more careful in the future. For this oversight, I sincerely apologize." It was a clear and unequivocal statement, an attempt to smooth ruffled feathers ahead of one of Bengal's most cherished festivals.

Naturally, the political arena didn't let such a misstep pass unnoticed. The opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) was quick to seize the moment, highlighting what they termed the BJP government's 'disconnect' with Bengali culture and traditions. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, for instance, didn't hold back, taking to social media to tag Adhikari directly. He sarcastically noted that "Mother Dashabhuja has become Ekadashbhuja," urging for an immediate rectification of the error. Even CPI(M) leader Shatarup Ghosh chimed in with a rather sarcastic Facebook remark about the 'extra arm,' underscoring the general amusement mixed with genuine cultural concern.

On the other side, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya attempted to downplay the incident, suggesting that an extra arm might simply make "Maa Durga" stronger, implying it was an innocent mistake by an advertising agency rather than a deliberate political statement. While a logical point, perhaps, it did little to quell the immediate debate about traditional iconography.

The controversial advertisement itself was part of a larger campaign surrounding the coordination meeting for Durga Puja committees, an event jointly organized by the Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and the state's Information and Cultural Affairs department. It's also worth noting that the ad prominently featured images of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, adding another layer to the political implications of the error.

Beyond the apology, and perhaps in an effort to steer the conversation back towards the larger festivities, CM Adhikari also made another significant announcement. To ensure a peaceful and serene environment during the upcoming celebrations, a complete liquor ban will be enforced on Maha Ashtami, a particularly auspicious day during Durga Puja. This move, it seems, aims to safeguard the sanctity of the festival and allow devotees to observe rituals without disturbance, a testament to the state's commitment to the cultural significance of the occasion.