VHP Protests Vatican City-Themed Durga Puja Pandal in Ranchi

Ranchi, September 26, 2025 – A Vatican City-themed Durga Puja pandal in Ranchi has sparked objections from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which accused the organisers of attempting to offend Hindu sentiments and promote religious conversion. The organising committee dismissed the allegations.

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said Christian symbols had been placed at the pandal entrance, alongside photographs of Mother Mary and other Christian figures inside. He claimed the design aimed to “hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and encourage conversion”.

Bansal urged the organisers to remove the Christian symbols. “If they are so interested in secularism, I would ask them to display a Hindu deity at any event organised by the Church or at Madrasas in Ranchi,” he said. The VHP’s Jharkhand unit is expected to take a decision on the matter soon.

The pandal was constructed by RR Sporting Club, which replicated the Vatican City theme used by Kolkata’s Sreebhumi Sporting Club in 2022. The Ranchi organisers employed artisans from Kolkata to recreate St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum as a backdrop for the goddess Durga.

Club president Vicky Yadav rejected the VHP’s charges, insisting the design was purely thematic. “We have been organising Durga Puja for 50 years and select a new theme every year. This year’s Vatican City pandal has drawn positive feedback from Ranchi residents,” he said.

Yadav, who also heads the Ranchi Zila Durga Puja Samiti, added: “We live in a secular country and people of all communities enjoy Durga Puja. We perform the rituals as per Vedic tradition and have not done anything to hurt sentiments.”

VHP Protests Vatican City-Themed Durga Puja Pandal in Ranchi

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