An apolitical organisation opposed to festive doles said the distribution of government grants to religious festivals was unconstitutional, undermining India's secular principles.

The Mamata Banerjee government has allocated some ₹350 crore, giving ₹85,000 to each of around 43,000 clubs across Bengal for Durga Puja.

"Our Constitution guarantees religious secularism and so by providing doles to clubs for Durga Puja, the government is ignoring the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. All the money paid to the clubs is taxpayers' money and the government has no right to use it in such a manner,” said Debashis Bhattacharya, one of the convenors of "Dhormiyo Khate Sarkari Onudan Birodhi Mancha" (Platform opposed to government grants for religious purposes), at a news meet in Calcutta on Saturday.

The organisation, which has already written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee requesting her to stop providing grants for religious purposes and redirect it towards industrial and agricultural development, said they moved Calcutta High Court on the issue and the matter was being heard.

“This is not only about Durga Puja; we also objected to the government's initiative to provide grants to the imams of mosques. Now, the grants to imams are issued by the Waqf Board, not directly by the government,” said Sourav Dutta, a member of the organisation.

The ruling Trinamool maintains these grants help promote the state's welfare schemes during the festivities. “The Puja committees have been asked to advertise government schemes, and the funds are provided for that purpose. Every club must submit an audit report; otherwise, they will not be eligible for next year's grant,” said a TMC leader.

To this, a member of the outfit shot back: “This is just a ploy. Let them submit a proper audit report in court.”

The government initially provided ₹10,000 to Durga Puja committees in 2018, but the sum increased to ₹85,000. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee promised to raise it to ₹1 lakh next year.