ABVP Members Launch Protest Against Saraswati Idol’s Attire, Joined by Bajrang Dal Supporters Over Alleged Vulgarity Concerns in Tripura College.
Agartala: Saraswati Puja celebrations at a government college in Tripura took an unexpected turn as protests erupted led by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which were later joined by the Bajrang Dal. The commotion stemmed from a viral video circulating on social media showcasing a Saraswati idol, created by students of the college, without the traditional saree attire.
Expressing concerns over the perceived “vulgarity” of the idol’s depiction, ABVP members took to the streets in protest. The movement gained momentum when supporters from the Bajrang Dal joined in solidarity. Dibakar Acharjee, the general secretary of the ABVP unit in Tripura, took charge of the protest, vehemently objecting to what he deemed as a misguided portrayal of Goddess Saraswati.
“On the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, when Goddess Saraswati is worshipped across the nation, we were shocked to learn that the idol of Goddess Saraswati at the Government Art and Craft College was sculpted in an inappropriate and vulgar manner,” stated Mr. Acharjee, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The protesters, comprising members of the ABVP, an RSS-affiliated student body, and supporters from the Bajrang Dal, successfully compelled the institute, situated in the state capital Agartala, to take immediate action by draping the idol with a saree. ABVP, known for its active involvement in student affairs, called for stringent measures against the college authority for the alleged oversight. They urged Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha to intervene and ensure that appropriate action was taken to rectify the situation.
The college authorities clarified that the design of the idol adhered to traditional sculpture forms commonly observed in Hindu temples and was crafted with no intention to offend religious sentiments. Despite this explanation, in response to the protests, the idol was ultimately replaced by the college authorities. The new idol was veiled with plastic sheets and discreetly placed behind the puja pandal, aiming to mitigate any further controversy or unrest surrounding the issue.
While the police visited the scene in response to the commotion, no formal complaint was lodged either by the college authorities or by the members of the ABVP and Bajrang Dal who were involved in the protests.