Post-poll violence-themed Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata

The pandal was inaugurated by BJP State president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari

Violence that rocked West Bengal following last year's Assembly elections is the theme of a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata with the Goddess shown as the mother of a dead child.

The pandal will be covered with black cloth, with wails of women who lost their children playing in the background, said BJP leader Biswajit Sarkar, the organiser of the community puja in Narkeldanga.

"While the entire state celebrates the festivities, the families of those killed in the violence will mourn their loved ones on those days," said Mr. Sarkar, whose brother Abhijit was killed on May 2 last year, soon after the election results were announced.

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"We are trying to depict the reality by portraying the mothers who would never be able to celebrate the festival again," he told PTI.

The ground, where the pandal of Saraswati O Kalimata Mandir Parishad has been put up, is painted red to depict the bloodshed in the violence.

"My brother was among those who started this community puja in 2020. It was due to post-poll violence that he had to lose his life. Celebrations mean nothing to us without Abhijit. We wanted to give out the message to all political parties that bloodshed needs to end in the state," Mr. Sarkar said.