Controversy erupts as 'vulgar' Saraswati idol in Tripura Art College triggers ABVP protest (WATCH)
By Team Asianet Newsable | First Published Feb 15, 2024, 11:30 AM ISTABVP protests alleged vulgarity in the depiction of Goddess Saraswati at Tripura Government College of Art and Craft, sparking a controversy over cultural sensitivity and religious sentiments.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), staged a vehement protest at the Tripura Government College of Art and Craft in Agartala on Wednesday. The uproar stemmed from what they perceived as the desecration of the revered idol of Goddess Saraswati, a symbol of knowledge and art, on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami.
Members of ABVP took issue with the depiction of Goddess Saraswati in what they deemed a "vulgar" manner, contrary to the essence of Indian culture and religious sentiments. The idol, housed within the government institute at Lichubagan, reportedly provoked outrage among the student body and the local community, prompting swift action from ABVP.
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Dibakar Acharjee, the Joint Secretary of ABVP's state unit, articulated the organization's stance, emphasizing the need to preserve religious sanctity within educational institutions. He condemned the alleged misrepresentation of Goddess Saraswati and asserted the rights of worshippers to observe their religious practices without distortion or disrespect.
ত্রিপুরা আর্ট এন্ড ক্রাফট মহাবিদ্যালয়ে মাতা সরস্বতী দেবীর প্রতীমাকে বিকৃত করে অশ্লীলভাবে দেখানোর চেষ্টা করা হয়েছে।
এরই প্রতিবাদে আজ বিদ্যার্থী পরিষদের কার্যকর্তারা মহাবিদ্যালয়ে গিয়ে এই নিন্দনীয় ঘটনার প্রতিবাদ করেন এবং মায়ের প্রতিমাকে সঠিকভাবে বস্ত্ৰ পড়িয়ে দেন । pic.twitter.com/cMPHerRHhR
"As we all know, today is Basant Panchami and Goddess Saraswati is worshipped all over the country. In the very morning, we all got news that in the Government Art and Craft College, the idol of Goddess Saraswati was sculptured in a very wrong and vulgar way. We instantly reached the location and stated our protest. We bound the college authority to stop the worship there and forced the students to rap a saree on the idol. We strongly protest against this type of initiative in any educational institution," Acharjee expressed.
The demand for immediate intervention resonated in ABVP's call for Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha to take decisive action against the college authority. Acharjee underscored the gravity of the situation, urging the state government to dismiss the principal and ensure accountability for the perceived transgression.
"It's our demand to the CM Dr. Manik Saha to take strict action against the college authority and dismiss the principal too," he asserted.
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