Kolkata: State higher education minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay on Thursday proposed organising Kali Puja at every police station in the state.Speaking at the Birbhum district police’s Bijaya Sammilani in Suri, Chattopadhyay said since police stations host Bijaya Sammilani gatherings, they should also organise Kali Puja.“I have a request. When Bijaya Sammilani is being organised at police stations, Kali Puja should also be held at every police station from now on,” he said.To support his point, the minister referred to Raghu Dakat, the legendary bandit who, according to popular accounts, worshipped Goddess Kali before setting out on robberies. Chattopadhyay urged the SP Birbhum to make special arrangements for Kali Puja at police stations in the district, especially those located near the Shaktipeeths.“As a minister, I am saying that Kali Puja should be organised at every PS. Nobody should view it through the lens of religious proportions. Kali Puja is part of police culture, not religious practice. The police force draws its strength from Devi Shakti, which Kali Puja represents,” Chattopadhyay said.He also advocated installing idols of Goddess Kali inside police stations. “If there is an idol of Kali at a police station, even a thief entering the premises will get to see the Goddess and pray for his early release. The police, too, will be able to offer prayers before leaving for an operation,” he said.
