Air India Crash-Themed Durga Pandal Sparks Outrage in Hooghly

In a controversial turn of events this Durga Puja, a pandal in Hooghly district of West Bengal has become the center of public outrage. The installation, which recreated the disastrous Air India plane crash, was meant to honor the victims and rescue personnel. However, its shocking imagery has left viewers questioning the line between tribute and insensitivity.

The pandal featured a broken aircraft surrounded by debris and flames, mirroring the June 12 tragedy when a London-bound Air India flight crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad. The disaster claimed 260 lives, including 241 passengers and crew, alongside 19 people on the ground.

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Despite organizers claiming the display was a mark of respect for the victims, social media users reacted with anger and disbelief. Comments ranged from calling it “insensitive” and “shameful” to criticizing the decision-making process behind choosing such a theme for a religious celebration.

“Turning a site associated with such a tragedy into a pandal theme is deeply insensitive,” one user remarked. Another added, “I’m just trying to imagine the meeting where everyone actually agreed this was a good idea.”

This incident echoes a similar, albeit less-discussed, pandal in Nagpur that also recreated the Air India crash, which received a more muted response. The Hooghly display, however, has reignited debate about the ethics of turning real-life tragedies into festival attractions.

Locals and viewers alike are calling for greater sensitivity in festival planning, emphasizing that while tributes are important, they should not evoke distress or pain among the victims’ families. The Hooghly pandal controversy now stands as a stark reminder of how cultural celebrations intersect with social responsibility.