Kolkata: A dispute over the management of Deshapriya Park Durga Puja has brought the preparations for the 89th edition of the south Kolkata puja to a halt, with the existing organising committee alleging that a group of 40-50 people vandalised its under-construction pandal and threatened members.The committee, in which former Rashbehari MLA Debasis Kumar’s brother Subhas Kumar is a senior member, alleged some BJP members were threatening them and trying to take over the puja. They have urged the state to intervene.But the rival group claimed the bamboo structure was dismantled to stop construction by an outgoing committee, the tenure of which ended but illegally occupied a portion of the club.The Ballygunge Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity, which has been organising the Deshapriya Park puja, known for elaborate installations, since 1938, lodged a complaint at the Rabindra Sarobar PS on Aug 11, alleging the vandalism on Aug 9 was a “planned conspiracy”. The committee claimed the group entered the park between 8 pm and 9.30 pm and damaged bamboo framing, timber supports and decorative woodwork of the pandal.Police are yet to establish the identities of those involved or determine the circumstances.In its complaint, the existing committee said the group comprised “unknown outsiders” who were neither members of the Samity nor residents, associated with the puja. “The committee members and artists present at the site were abused and intimidated. Police should examine the CCTV footage from Deshapriya Park and adjoining areas, including Rashbehari Avenue, to identify those responsible,” said Hiranmoy Chatterjee, a senior member of the club. The committee alleged one of its office-bearers was pushed and shoved. It has sought police protection at the venue so that the construction can resume.But the rival group disputed the existing committee’s account. Suryaneel Das, one of the members of the proposed new committee, claimed the previous committee’s 15-year tenure ended in 2025 and that no AGM or transparent handover of accounts and contracts took place. He claimed residents dismantled the bamboo structure as the construction started despite the dispute over the committee’s legitimacy. He denied the involvement of political outsiders or that the act amounted to vandalism and instead described it as a dispute over financial transparency and the constitution of a new organising body. “Residents were kept out of the puja for several years. Now, the new committee will organise the puja with inclusivity,” Das said.Local MLA and state finance minister Swapan Dasgupta said he was aware of the problem but distanced himself from the puja. “I know that there is an issue of illegal encroachment at the park. The administration will take action. But I would not like to be associated with puja committees,” he said. Deshapriya Park plans to erect a 70-ft-tall pandal this year. . The old committee started preparations with Khunti Puja in June, which was attended by Indian tennis legend Leander Paes and BJP functionary Locket Chatterjee. Constructions began subsequently but the park has now been closed and work suspended.
