West Bengal BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari has formally withdrawn and apologised for her controversial claim that bursting firecrackers can cure several diseases. The legislator from Tollygunge also accused sections of the media of spinning her remarks out of context.
The controversy erupted after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader attended a Kali Puja inauguration in her constituency, where a firecracker went off near her during her address. Speaking in Bangla, she initially defended the use of firecrackers during celebrations before making the medical claim.
Following widespread public debate and media coverage, the MLA clarified that her statements were linked to traditional beliefs passed down by previous generations rather than modern medical science.
Key Points Of Papiya Adhikari Apology
- West Bengal BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari retracted her statement that bursting firecrackers cures diseases.
- The legislator stated her original comment was based on traditional family beliefs.
- Adhikari accused the media of misrepresenting her remarks and sensationalising the issue.
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended green firecracker celebrations during Kali Puja in the state.
MLA Explains Traditional Beliefs And Scientific Progress
Addressing the viral statement, Papiya Adhikari dismissed the controversy and questioned the media framing. She stated that lighting lamps and performing yagnas were historically believed by ancestors to help eliminate social evils.
At the same time, the Tollygunge legislator acknowledged that such traditional explanations do not hold ground in the present era due to massive advancements in science. She noted that society has progressed beyond those ancient viewpoints.
Offering a formal retraction, the BJP leader said she was ready to take back her words if anyone felt hurt by them. She reiterated that while the symbolic elimination of social evils through festivals of light remains important, the medical claim itself stands withdrawn.
Suvendu Adhikari Defends Green Firecrackers In West Bengal
The remarks by the local MLA emerged amid a broader political and cultural debate over firecracker usage during Kali Puja and Diwali across West Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari maintained that noise pollution levels were largely kept under control during the recent festive period.
The Chief Minister defended the bursting of green firecrackers as an integral part of traditional celebrations, despite acknowledging that some violations regarding permitted hours occurred. He attributed complaints about loud firecrackers in Kolkata and other areas entirely to political opponents from the Left.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister alleged that political critics were uncomfortable with the resurgence of Sanatan traditions in Bengal. He claimed that opposition groups had previously pushed religious scriptures aside and converted Hindu festivals into mere cultural programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Papiya Adhikari say about firecrackers?
West Bengal BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari initially claimed that bursting firecrackers would cure several diseases during a Kali Puja inauguration in her constituency. She later retracted the statement, apologised if anyone was hurt, and clarified that her remarks stemmed from traditional beliefs rather than modern science.
Who defended firecracker use during Kali Puja in West Bengal?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari defended the use of green firecrackers during Kali Puja celebrations in West Bengal. He maintained that noise pollution was under control and alleged that complaints were being raised by political opponents who opposed the revival of Sanatan traditions.
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