Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his two-day visit to Kolkata on Friday (September 26, 2025), inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal at Santosh Mitra Square and offered prayers for the formation of a new government in West Bengal after the 2026 Assembly elections—one that would revive the state’s lost “Sonar Bangla” glory.

Mr. Shah said Bengal must once again become safe, prosperous, and peaceful, echoing the vision of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. “I prayed to Maa Durga that a government is formed after the polls which can build a golden Bengal—safe, abundant and peaceful—just as Tagore had dreamed,” he said, while extending festive greetings to the people of Bengal and the country.

Expressing sorrow over recent rain-related tragedies that claimed more than 10 lives, the Home Minister offered condolences to the bereaved families. At least 11 people were killed after heavy rainfall lashed Kolkata and nearby areas on September 23. Calling Bengal’s Durga Puja a cultural treasure cherished worldwide, Mr. Shah said, “This nine-day Navratri celebration is not just famous in Bengal or India, but across the globe. For these nine days, the entire state devotes itself to the worship of Shakti.” He added that the festival should inspire Bengal to reach new heights of progress, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India.

During his visit, Mr. Shah also inaugurated the pandal of the BJP-backed Paschim Banga Sanskriti Mancha at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre in Salt Lake. He paid tribute to reformer and educationist Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on his birth anniversary, recalling his contributions to education, women’s empowerment, and Bengali culture during colonial times. Later in the day, Mr. Shah visited the Kalighat Temple, where he spent about 15 minutes offering prayers. He was greeted by party leaders and supporters outside the shrine, with security tightened in the area for his visit.