West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during a visit to the residence of a victim of the Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata, at Chakdaha, in Nadia district, West Bengal, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI As the immersion of Durga idols began on the occasion of Vijayadashami on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said only Sanatanis will be allowed to participate in the process.“Only people who follow Sanatana Dharma will participate.

I have told the Commissioner of Police to note down the names and identity details of the people who will carry the idols. There is nothing communal in this,” Mr.

Adhikari said while overseeing preparations for the immersion process in Kolkata’s Babu Ghat on the banks of the Ganga. The CM added that all necessary steps will be taken to maintain the “purity and traditions” of the religious event. “The festival is secondary; the religious event is more important.

That is why it is crucial to keep the religious aspects as per thousands of years of tradition,” he said.Safety measuresThere are over 3,319 community Durga Pujas in Kolkata and several family pujas that will carry out bisharjan (immersion) over the next few days at various banks of the Ganga, ponds, and designated water bodies across the city. The process began on Wednesday (October 21) afternoon itself, with hundreds flocking to the ghats to immerse their Durga idols and bid farewell to the Goddess.Top officials of Kolkata Police, Kolkata Port, and Kolkata Municipal Corporation were also present at the ghats to oversee the preparations.

They will be coordinating to ensure that no accidents occur during the process.Labourers from across West Bengal and outside States take part in the immersion process as the heavy structures require massive physical labour. As many as 300 labourers were part of the immersion process.

Top officials of Kolkata Police, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Port authorities were also present at the ghats.Also Read | Kolkata’s Bonedi Bari Durga Puja: The ancestral homes preserving centuries of traditionOver 600 KMC officials, 43 medical teams, seven ambulances, eight National Disaster Relief Force teams, six civil defence teams, several bio toilets, water tankers and adequate lights were set in place for a smooth immersion process. At least 27 ghats on the bank of Ganga were identified for the process.

Floating cranes were also deployed to ensure the Durga structure is lifted off the water after immersion to reduce water pollution.Women across the State also indulged in Sindur Khela (playing with vermillion) to mark the end of the festivities and bid farewell to the Goddess for this year. Mr.

Adhikari also met with several of the Chorbagan Sarbajanin Durga Puja stampede victim’s families on Wednesday to offer his condolences. He also met a few of them on Tuesday (October 20).

Published - October 21, 2026 02:02 pm IST