A political controversy has emerged surrounding Durga Puja celebrations in South Delhi’s CR Park area, with the Aam Aadmi Party alleging that the Delhi Police and the BJP administration are obstructing festivities and harassing event organizers. In response, the Delhi Police rejected the claims, maintaining that law enforcement efforts were strictly focused on implementing judicial directives concerning noise pollution.
The dispute began when AAP state president Saurabh Bhardwaj published a series of posts on social media accusing the authorities of targeting the Bengali community. Bhardwaj, a former local legislator representing the Greater Kailash constituency where CR Park is situated, questioned why the Bengali community faced stricter limitations while various other cultural events and Ram-leelas were permitted to operate past midnight.
Bhardwaj further alleged that police personnel forcefully entered the B Block Durga Puja pandal, cut off the electricity supply, and damaged event equipment. He warned that restricting evening celebration hours could create severe crowd congestion and dangerous conditions, drawing comparisons to a recent tragedy during Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal.
Addressing the public criticism, the Delhi Police issued a statement denying any intention to obstruct the cultural celebrations. According to the DCP South Delhi office, police presence and intervention were limited to enforcing established legal guidelines on noise limits after organizers continued playing loud music past authorized hours despite prior agreements.
The official response failed to pacify Bhardwaj, who challenged the police narrative and questioned whether local station house officers were even aware of the officially designated timing cut-offs. He argued that paramilitary forces should not be deployed into celebration venues to intimidate organizers.
Videos depicting police and paramilitary personnel inside the B Block pandal circulated widely online, prompting mixed reactions from the public. While some social media users expressed shock and dismay over the heavy-handed approach at a cultural gathering, local residents defended the security presence, noting that the deployment helped manage massive crowds and maintain public order during peak evening hours.