Maa Durga was staged in a burqa-like outfit in Madhya Pradesh on 2nd October 2024, just before the Navratri Utsav. The first to react was Bajrang Dal activists, who viewed the portrayal of Maa Durga, in a black Burqa-like garment to be an affront to Hindu Dhrama. Activists led by Bajrang Dal leader Lucky Raghuvanshi immediately filed a complaint with the Khajrana Police Station.
Thereafter, they took their protest a step further by smearing soot on the face of the sculptor, Lucky Chauhan, in a symbolic act of condemnation. The group emphasized that such a tent-like attire is often associated with the Muslim community. Maa Durga is usually represented in a Sarees or Ghaghras in Navratri Utsav! Although a creative license is granted to theme-based Puja Pandal, this particular outfit reeked of appeasement to a particular “peaceful” community. Let’s talk if this attire was a deliberate act of Hinduphobia!
Maa Durga In A Burqa-Like Attire: An Attack on Hindu Traditions
This incident in Madhya Pradesh questions levels of relgiious sensitivity. And it asks why there is an increase in portrayal of Hindu deities in controversial ways. The fact that the idol was dressed in a Burqa-like black all-covering outfit was concerning. In most traditional homes, a married woman does not wear unadulterated black or white. These colors often depict mourning. However, Muslim women are frequently seen as these wraiths dehumanized in black burqa tents.
Hence, dressing Maa Durga in Burqa-like clothes in the name of creative license was seen by many Hindus as an attack on their religious feelings.
Location: Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Hieght of Secularism: The sculptor made the Durga idol wear a burqa. The Bajrang Dal smeared the sculptor's face with soot and handed him over to the police. Case registered pic.twitter.com/R1XKgy9ZYx
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 7, 2024
What hurt most was that this was a depiction of Maa Durga was meant to worship her as the Mother Goddess and Feminine Divine. Thus, the black all-covering non-Hindu attire damaged the religious sentiments of Bajrang Dal and many Hindus alike. Creative liberty cannot be taken at the expense of an offensive depiction of a deity during one of the most celebrated festivals of Bharat. Maa Durga is worshipped as a maried partner of Bhgwan Shiva. She is celebrated in her many forms as mother, protector, and Maa Shakti during Navratri. Thus, such blatant and uncalled for appeasement in the clothes of a Hindu deity seemed to cross the boundary of social awareness and Dharma.
Madhya Pradesh Police Intervention: A Sensitive Case
The Madhya Pradesh, aware of the potential for the situation’s escalation, swiftly intervened. The local TI Manoj Sendhav confirmed that both the sculptor Lucky Chauhan and a Bengali artisan involved in the making of the idol were interrogated. While Chauhan claimed the attire was an artistic choice, the religious groups and activists were unconvinced. They demanded stringent action, accusing the artists of intentionally stirring unrest during one of Hinduism’s most sacred festivals.
‘Peaceful’ Hypocrisy: A Familiar Narrative
This incident in Indore is not the first time Hindu festivals have been targeted under the guise of ‘peaceful’ coexistence. Many critics argue that such episodes show a selective outrage – where Hindu customs are open to artistic interpretation, while other religious practices remain untouched.
The portrayal of Maa Durga in a Burqa-like attire for Navratri seems a hypocritical attempt to force appeasement in the name of Hindu festivals.
Will Christians allow Mother Mary to be seen wearing Sindoor and Bindi in a Saree? Will Muslims celebrate He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named with a Tripund and Shikha? Hence, Hindu festivals should not be used to further the narrative of Inclusivity and Artistic Freedom.
A Murti is that form of the deity that the Bhakta can relate to. Hence, a small amount of creative license is afforded to sculptors and artists when depicting Maa Durga. However, any artistic liberty given should not overstretch into the realm of misguided appeasement. Activists point out that the selective targeting of Hindu festivals in the name of an “inclusive” society has left many feeling that their traditions are being unjustly perverted in the name of “peace”.
In the End
The degradation of Maa Durga in the name of art in Madhya Pradesh is shameful. But, it is a stark reminder of the increasing disregard for Hindu religious sentiments in the name of inclusivity and artistic interpretation. Thanfully, it was caught in time and duly rectified! However, the entire concept reeks of unwanted appeasement in the guise of art!
As Hindu rights groups demand justice, the portrayal of Maa Durga in a Burqa-like attire has left a bitter mark on this Durga Puja celebration. The call for respect and sensitivity must be answered by all communities equally. Else, Hindus shall have to take a strong stance to defend their traditions against repeated provocations by ‘inclusivity’ brigade.