An order issued by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on September 17, 2025, initially proposed canceling the Vishwakarma Puja holiday and extending the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday instead. The order declared Eid-ul-Fitr holidays on March 31 and April 1, 2025.
Following controversy surrounding this decision, the Mamata Banerjee government issued a clarification, attributing the change to a typographical error. The government explicitly stated there was no intention to cancel the Vishwakarma Puja holiday and that a corrected order would be issued shortly.
KMC Withdraws Order After Controversy
The KMC's order, issued for Hindi-medium schools, cancelling the Vishwakarma Puja holiday and extending the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, faced b backlash and was subsequently revoked by the KMC.
The KMC clarified that the alteration was a simple typographical mistake. The official in the education department responsible for issuing the order has received a show-cause notice. The corporation stated the order was issued without authorization from competent authorities and was therefore immediately rescinded.
In a note to the media, the Municipal Commissioner stated that a new holiday list is being prepared and a revised order will be issued soon.
BJP Launches Attack
The opposition BJP criticized the Mamata Banerjee government and the KMC for the decision, terming it appeasement politics and alleging that Hindu religious festivals were being targeted for political gain.
Jagannath Chattopadhyay, the general secretary of the BJP in West Bengal, stated, "It is hard to believe that KMC officials were unaware of the decision to cancel the Vishwakarma Puja holiday and extend the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. This order could not have been issued without higher direction."
He further suggested that an investigation should be launched into who in the education department instructed the issuance of this order. BJP leader Amit Malviya also attacked Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim on this issue, alleging that the Mamata Banerjee government was neglecting Hindu religious festivals.
Controversy Over 'Death Kumbh' Remark
Previously, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had sparked controversy with her remarks on the Maha Kumbh Mela. On February 18, 2025, in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, she referred to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj as a "Death Kumbh."
She alleged that VIPs were receiving preferential treatment while adequate arrangements were lacking for ordinary devotees. The BJP bly reacted to this statement as well.
