'Insensitive and sickening': Air India crash-themed pandal in Kolkata draws online backlash

Some users, while refraining from taking sides, noted that disaster-themed pandals were not uncommon in parts of Bengal.

A Durga Puja pandal in West Bengal’s Hooghly district drew widespread criticism online after a video showed it modelled on the Air India plane crash. The footage, which first circulated on X (formerly Twitter) and also gained traction on Reddit, showed an elaborate setup featuring a broken aircraft surrounded by artificial flames and scattered debris.

The video was shared by X user @SiddharthKG7, who wrote, “Why I want to ban public display of religion. Low IQ people do not have the sensitivity & mental facility to understand religion. They are just there for hysteria, music, lights, and tamasha.”

His post quickly went viral, with several users condemning the display. One person commented, “This is pathetic, insensitive and sickening…” Another wrote, “This is really not in good taste!”

A third user questioned the organisers’ judgement, saying, “This is utterly stupid!! Did no-one tell them during ideation & execution? What about the public? They can see… they should have stopped it. Insensitive and dumb!!”

Why I want to ban public display of religion.

Low IQ people do not have the sensitivity & mental facility to understand religion. They are just there for hysteria, music, lights, and tamasha. pic.twitter.com/sPmaSY7nUl

— Siddharth's Echelon (@SiddharthKG7) October 7, 2025

Shortly after the video circulated on X, it was also uploaded to the r/IndianCivicFails subreddit, where it continued to attract strong reactions. The clip, which captured the detailed reconstruction of a shattered plane amid burning wreckage, was described by users as “tone-deaf” and “exploitative.”

According to a report in The Tribune, organisers reportedly defended the installation, claiming it was meant as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the crash and a way to acknowledge the bravery of first responders. But many online users viewed it as a poor attempt to attract attention by invoking a national tragedy.

The Reddit post saw hundreds of comments debating whether such displays were appropriate during religious festivities. One comment read, “I’m just trying to imagine the meeting where everyone actually agreed this was a good idea.”

Another user countered that the design might have been meant to serve a purpose, saying, “It is for awareness and defaming the airplane for irresponsibility. A kind of protest.”

Other comments criticised the organisers more sharply, with one writing, “Indians lack empathy and this proves it,” and another adding, “This is disgraceful.”

Some users, while refraining from taking sides, noted that disaster-themed pandals were not uncommon in parts of Bengal.

One commenter explained, “I had seen pandal showcasing earthquake, tsunami and train accidents — those are common in my state Bengal as I grew up since my childhood. These are mainly found in suburban and rural areas and also people enjoy watching those pandals. Most recent was last year on Kolkata Rape Tragedy — they even portrayed a play on stage about the horrific incident. I’m not justifying those pandals but the people are made to watch such themed pandals.”