Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja 2025 has emerged as one of Kolkata’s most talked-about and hotly debated pandals, captivating visitors with its audacious “Operation Sindoor” theme—a tribute to India’s armed forces and military operations against terror.
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Massive Crowds and Police Security
From Saptami through Dashami, the pandal has seen unprecedented crowds, prompting Kolkata Police to expand 
barricades and reroute visitor entry for public safety. Organizers, however, allege that excessive police restrictions—including limiting access routes, blocking direct ways from Sealdah station, and limiting traffic—are discouraging footfall. BJP leader and puja committee general secretary Sajal Ghosh vocally accused authorities of non-cooperation, with threats to close the pandal if alleged harassment continued.
“Operation Sindoor” Theme: Patriotism on Full Display
This year’s pandal, inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, features a battlefield-like environment, complete with replica tanks, fighter jets, and missile systems, including BrahMos and S-400 models. The audio-visual show inside the pandal narrates India’s surgical strikes following the Pahalgam terror attack, immortalizing the valor and sacrifice of the Indian military—especially spotlighting women officers like Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
The sound-and-light effects make the immersive experience one of the most striking and controversial among all Kolkata pujas this year.
Politics and Public Sentiment
The patriotic theme and Amit Shah’s high-profile inauguration have intensified the political color of the event, standing in contrast to other major Kolkata pandals focused on “Bengali Asmita.” While it has found huge support from many, others have criticized the mingling of faith, politics, and spectacle. Organizers claim the theme aims to awaken patriotism, but its execution sparked debates, especially online, about the role of political messaging in festival celebrations.
Crowd Management Controversies
Organizers allege barricades led to longer visitor routes and slower crowd dispersal—especially as the two-minute Operation Sindoor video inside the pandal creates bottlenecks. Police, on the other hand, emphasize that public safety and high turnout made these measures necessary, and have denied charges of deliberate obstruction.
Despite controversies, the pandal remains open and continues to attract thousands. To accommodate the overwhelming interest, organizers extended viewing through Ekadashi, with the immersion scheduled on Dwadashi, giving visitors extra days to enjoy the spectacle.Why Santosh Mitra Square Is the Year’s Must-See:
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Nation’s military valor celebrated in art, light, and technology
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High-profile political and celebrity presence
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Intense media coverage on crowd management
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Spirited patriotism, emotional storytelling, and trending debate
For more updates, photos, and guides to Santosh Mitra Square and other trending pujas, visit https://www.pujo2pujo.com/.
