Viral video of ‘Saraswati idol without saree’ triggers protests in Tripura colleges, authorities explain logic

Saraswati Puja celebrations at the Lichu Bagan administration near Tripura faced protests after a video of the Saraswati idol not wearing a sari went viral on social media.

A group of supporters of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Wednesday allegedly barged into the Government Arts and Crafts College, forcing the college authorities to cover the statue of Goddess Saraswati with a sari, news agencies reported. PTI Witnesses were quoted as saying.

according to a report new delhi tvABVP members, citing fears of being seen as “vulgar”, launched a protest that later attracted supporters of the Bajrang Dal. Protesters said the statue was made by students of the college.

Dibakar Acharjee, general secretary of the ABVP unit in Tripura, led the protest and expressed strong opposition to what he considered to be a misleading depiction of goddess Saraswati, reports said.

“As we all know, today is Basant Panchami and Goddess Saraswati is worshiped across the country. That morning we all got the news that at the Government Arts and Crafts College, the statue of Goddess Saraswati was displayed in a very wrong and vulgar way Carving,” Acharji said.

Tripura Bajrang Dal coordinator Tutan Das said: “As a video of Maa Saraswati not wearing a traditional sari was doing the rounds on social media, we started the puja at They rushed to the college and forced the organizers to decorate the sari on the idol.” Quoted PTI.

He further expressed strong condemnation of what he said was a departure from the cultural and traditional values ​​expected of students in the College of Arts and Crafts.

Sourabh Das, assistant coordinator (activities) of VHP, also condemned the behavior of the students. “We strongly condemn the disrespect shown towards Devi Saraswati by the students of Government College of Arts and Crafts. VHP will not tolerate any disrespect towards Hindu deities.”

Police visited the spot but neither the college, VHP nor Bajrang Dal lodged a complaint, PTI A senior official was quoted as saying.

new delhi tv Reports said ABVP, a student body affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has demanded strict action against the college authorities and urged Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha to intervene.

The report further stated that the college authorities explained that the statue followed traditional sculptural forms observed in Hindu temples and was not intended to offend religious sentiments.

The idol was eventually replaced by the university authorities and covered with a plastic sheet and placed behind the puja pandal, new delhi tv mentioned in the report.