Suvendu Adhikari Accuses Mamata Banerjee of “Wearing Hijab” After She Covers Head During Puja Pandal Inauguration

Hindu Voice Team: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has come under criticism from Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari after she covered her head with her saree while inaugurating several Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata amid rainfall. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief, who attended the inaugurations on the eve of Mahalaya, was seen shielding herself from the rain, but Adhikari alleged that her gesture amounted to “wearing a hijab” and accused her of insulting Hindu religious sentiments.

Adhikari said that if the Chief Minister wanted to protect herself from the rain, she could have used an umbrella, but instead chose to cover her head in a way that resembled a hijab. He linked the incident to what he described as Mamata Banerjee’s “appeasement politics,” accusing her of deliberately making gestures to please minorities. The BJP leader also criticized Banerjee for inaugurating Durga Puja pandals before Mahalaya, claiming that such actions violate Hindu customs and traditions.

The TMC, however, has strongly defended the Chief Minister. Party leaders argued that Banerjee’s act was simply a response to the rain and that the opposition was deliberately twisting the matter to create a communal controversy. They further pointed out that Mamata Banerjee, a devout Hindu from a Brahmin family, has a long record of participating in Durga Puja festivities and does not need lessons on religious rituals from her political rivals.

The controversy highlights the increasing political tensions in West Bengal, where cultural and religious traditions often become part of the larger political narrative. With Durga Puja — Bengal’s most significant festival — approaching, both the ruling TMC and the BJP are attempting to assert their influence over the cultural and religious sentiments of the people. While Mamata’s supporters see the incident as a non-issue blown out of proportion, her critics portray it as yet another example of politics overshadowing tradition.