West Bengal Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay. File photo: Special arrangement

Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay added that the doctors and patients bow down to the idol of any god before entering the hospital premises

West Bengal Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay asked on Friday (October 29, 2026) to organise Kali puja at every police station in the State. 

While attending a Bijaya Sammilani function in Birbhum, Mr. Chattopadhyay directed the police superintendents of every district to organise Kali puja. 

Drawing a parallel to Bengal’s popular folklore about Raghu Dakat (dacoit), he said, “Like Raghu Dakat, you all are the devotees of Shakti. It’s not necessary to see any religious aspect in why I am asking to celebrate Kali puja at every police station. There should be a culture of organising Kali puja at police stations, like we have a culture of celebrating Saraswati puja in schools. It has nothing to do with religion,,” said Mr. Chattopadhyay. 

He also added that both doctors and patients bow down to any god’s idol before entering the hospital premises. Similarly, consecrating an idol of Goddess Kali will make even the thieves pray to her when they are brought to the police stations. 

The statement coincides with the day when Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also held a meeting at the State secretariat, Nabanna, on the preparation of Kali Puja across the State. Every minister was also given charge of the preparation in one district. 

Published – October 30, 2026 01:20 am IST