The BJP has decided to stay away from the inauguration of Durga Pujas this year in solidarity with the agitating doctors’ call for justice in the RG Kar incident.

In a departure from their practice in recent years, especially last time, no major state BJP leader was present at inauguration ceremonies this time, outside a few in their constituencies.

The BJP’s national leadership has remained largely absent from Puja programmes this time.

The only exception is the BJP’s national president J.P. Nadda, who will arrive in Calcutta on Thursday, visit the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission at
Belur and spend some time at the Santosh Mitra Square puja, which is organised by the party’s local leader Sajal Ghosh.

Last year, the pandal at Santosh Mitra Square, modelled after the Ram temple of Ayodhya, was inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah. Initially, it had been planned that either Shah or Nadda would inaugurate the pandal this time, too, but the plan was dropped.

“We do not have an inauguration ceremony this time in protest against the grisly crime at RG Kar. The pandal has been opened without a ceremony,” said BJP leader Ghosh.

The Union health minister will then attend a meeting with civil society members at a star hotel in the city to express gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring Bengali as a classical language.

Although Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar had plans to inaugurate a number of puja pandals across the state, he cancelled all of them as a mark of protest.

“Although the chief minister has asked people to return to festivities, in the wake of the RG Kar and Kultali tragedies, this cannot be a festive year. Durga Puja is the biggest festival of Bengalis and so there will be pujas. But we will try to keep our participation as low-key as possible,” said a state BJP functionary.

“All MLAs and MPs have also been requested to stay in their own constituencies and keep a close watch on the situation. They have also been asked to enhance public relations, which will help them in the Assembly elections of 2026,” he added.

Last year, Shah and Nadda had inaugurated three Durga Pujas in the state. Additionally, prominent BJP leaders like Dharmendra Pradhan and Smriti Irani had inaugurated several pujas.

Union rail minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had come to the state just before Puja to inaugurate some railway projects, but did not participate in inauguration events.

Trinamool Congress leaders attributed the BJP’s decision to the party’s
inability to extract political mileage from it, and the absence of a major election in the near future.

Political scientists said this was part of a broader political strategy.

“It’s clear that the BJP has failed to gain political traction from the movement. They are now trying to show solidarity to win the support of those sympathetic to the cause,” said a city-based political analyst.