Taking a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi today said it was "horrendous" that a state government which "banned" Durga Puja and idol immersion was taking credit for inclusion of the festival in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Addressing a press conference, she said the Ministry of Culture has also sent a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to include Garba dance from Gujarat in its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Earlier this month, Mamata Banerjee had led a rally celebrating the inclusion of 'Durga Puja in Kolkata' in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
"The West Bengal chief minister must be very busy and the advice she is receiving from her advisors is questionable," Ms Lekhi, the Minister of State for Culture, taunted.
She said a proposal was sent by the culture ministry to include Durga Puja in UNESCO's list in 2019 which was accepted in December 2021.
The MoS added that it was a matter of pride for entire India that Durga Puja was inscribed in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage and "politics on it was improper".
"It is horrendous a state government that banned Durga Puja and idol immersion was taking credit for this feat," she said.
She noted that all the traditions of the country should be appreciated in one voice, adding that Durga Puja was as much important in southern and western India as it was in eastern India.
Ms Lekhi will visit Kolkata on October 24 to felicitate 30 artisans and artistes, including 'dhakis', idol makers, pandal makers and others associated with the Durga Puja festival.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
"I Am Shocked": Mamata Banerjee On Amit Shah's Ambedkar Remarks "Must Save Democracy": Mamata Banerjee, Opposition Slam '1 Nation, 1 Poll' Mamata Banerjee Names ISKCON Priest As Board Member Of Digha Jagannath Temple Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question Pics: Rahul Gandhi's Family Lunch At Iconic Delhi Restaurant "Nothing Short Of Nightmare": Woman Misses Life Event, Slams Air India Public Sector Hydropower Company Hiring For 118 Posts, Check Details Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Severe' Despite GRAP-4 Restrictions PM Modi Meets Yoga Practitioner, Other Influencers In Kuwait Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.