I work for Bengal, not for any particular country: Jaya

Acclaimed actress Jaya Ahsan participated in the Durga Puja Carnival in Durgapur as a special guest. Along with other dignitaries, she released balloons to inaugurate the event. Later, during her speech on stage, she said:

“We work on screen, but it is the people who love us that give us inspiration. I work for Bengal, not based on countries. Wherever in the world Bengali-speaking people may live, I want to work for them for this Bengali culture.”

Jaya also captured moments from the carnival on her phone. At the end of her speech, at the host’s request, she performed Rabindra Sangeet “Aakash Bhora Surjo Tara”, accompanied by a local artist.

However, her presence sparked controversy. Following the event, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests, objecting:

“A Bangladeshi national was invited to the state government-organized Durga Puja Carnival stage this is highly irresponsible. It’s an insult to the artists of Bengal.”

Protesters held placards reading “Why a foreigner on Bengal’s stage?”, smeared ink on Jaya’s photo, and demanded the resignation of Durgapur’s Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Saurav Chattopadhyay. BJP supporters formed a human chain in front of the SDO’s office and government residence, led by the party’s district vice-president Chandrashekhar Bandopadhyay.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) hit back at the BJP, calling the protests “narrow-minded politics.” TMC MLA Narendranath Chakraborty stated:

“An artist has no nationality, religion, or caste. The presence of a talented artist like Jaya Ahsan in a city like Durgapur is a symbol of cultural exchange. BJP is trying to paint Bengal’s culture with political colors, which is truly unfortunate.”