Ranchi Durga Puja pandal by RR Sporting Club replaces Jesus Christ image with Lord Krishna after protest by VHP

An image of Jesus Christ displayed in a Vatican City-themed Durga Puja pandal in Ranchi was replaced with that of Lord Krishna on Friday, following objections from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The VHP had alleged that the pandal, organised by R R Sporting Club at Ratu Road, was intended to "hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus" and encourage conversion. The organisers had rejected these claims on Thursday.

Committee decision, not protest

The club’s patron, Vicky Yadav, said the replacement was a decision taken by the puja committee members and not due to protests. “It was not due to the protest by a certain section but by our committee members to show all religions on the same platform,” he told PTI. European-style statues placed outside the pandal were retained.

Yadav added that the design aimed to promote peace and brotherhood. "India stands for religious harmony. If that doesn’t exist, then why not just declare this a Hindu nation?" he asked, sharing videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting churches abroad during official trips.

Theme inspired by multi-faith culture

Yadav said the idea was inspired by India’s multi-faith culture and that the club promotes Sanatan Dharma. "We have been organising Durga Puja for the last 50 years, and every year we make pandals based on certain themes. This year, we decided to replicate the Durga Puja pandal made by Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata in 2022 on the theme of Vatican City," he explained.

VHP raises concerns

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal had expressed concern on Thursday on X, saying, "This has been done with an objective to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and aimed at encouraging religious conversion. If the organising committee of this Durga Puja pandal is so interested in secularism, I would ask them to display a photograph of a Hindu God or Goddess at any event organised by the Church or at Madrasas in Ranchi."

(Inputs from PTI)