Controversy over Holi festival restrictions at Shantiniketan fair

A poster restricting the use of colors at Shantiniketan’s famous artisan fair, Sonajhuri Haat, has ignited a political controversy in West Bengal.

The situation intensified as the celebration coincides with Holi, a vibrant festival marking the arrival of spring. Shantiniketan, the renowned residential community founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, lies about 180 km from Kolkata.

The poster, which went viral, reads in Bengali: "Reserved forest area: Playing with colours, car parking, videography and drone camera usage are prohibited."

This sparked accusations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was effectively banning Holi celebrations.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, alleged this was not an isolated case but part of a larger trend of governmental appeasement.

He noted perceived police interference during Holi, citing past instances such as a 2025 police station initiative coinciding with Ramzan and alleged directives to wrap up the Basanta Utsav celebrations by 10 am in Shantiniketan.

Basanta Utsav, overlapping with Holi and Dol Jatra, is a distinctive celebration initiated by Tagore in the 1920s. It fuses cultural events with the joy of spring.

State Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda refuted claims of restrictions on playing Holi, maintaining the poster was merely an environmental advisory.

She accused the BJP of politicizing the issue, asserting, "There is no restriction. If anyone wants to play Holi, they can." She also called for a report from the District Forest Officer to further investigate the matter.

As the situation unfolds, the political discourse continues to grow heated ahead of the upcoming Holi festival.