Kolkata Models' Visit Durga Puja Pandal Wearing Bold Dress; Creates Controversy As Pics Go Viral

Three models from Kolkata have sparked social media storm for their daring attire at a Durga Puja pandal.

Photos of Hemoshree Bhadra and Sannati Mitra, both former Miss Kolkata winners, alongside a friend, went viral. One wore a tight black gown, another sported a short orange dress with high boots, and the third chose a red blouse with black pants.

The models described their looks as rebellious in an Instagram post. However, many online users disagreed, criticising their choice of clothing as inappropriate for a religious event. Sannati Mitra shared on Instagram, "It was so Rebellious, we never thought it was possible, being a girl we always knew our body was 'BAD' but life is like that it gives new examples and experiences."

Social Media Backlash

Comments flooded in with one user expressing shame over the outfits worn at such a sacred place. Another urged to stop such vulgarity at puja mandaps, calling it disgraceful. A comment read, "This is not women empowerment. This is making fun of our sanatan dharm and on top of it, your naked souls are wearing shoes and sandals during darshan inside a pandal."

Another individual remarked on the pursuit of popularity at any cost: "Popularity ke liye ye log aur kitna girenge (How low will these people go for popularity)?" The sentiment echoed with another user lamenting the decline of cultural values: "No words to explain this nonsense. Our culture is heading towards the end."

The controversy extended beyond Instagram as posts were shared on X (formerly Twitter). Activist Deepika Bhardwaj joined others in criticising the models for seeking attention in such an inappropriate manner at a religious venue.

In addition to photos, videos surfaced showing the models dancing and playing instruments while visiting various Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata. These clips further fuelled discussions about their behaviour during the festival.

Durga Puja Celebrations

The five-day Durga Puja festivities commenced on October 9. The event involves performing rituals, offering prayers, and enjoying cultural activities dedicated to goddess Durga. Despite the controversy surrounding the models' attire, many continue to focus on celebrating the festival's spiritual significance.

This incident highlights ongoing debates about cultural norms and personal expression during traditional celebrations. While some view such expressions as disrespectful, others argue for freedom of choice in attire.