Mamata Banerjee’s big charge on Ram Navami: ’Plot to incite riots’

Mangalore Today News Network

West Bengal, April 17, 2024: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that there are plans being hatched to incite riots in the state on the occasion of Ram Navami. Last year’s celebrations were marred by violence in the state, leading to a massive confrontation between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.

"They will engage in rioting today. There is a prospect and possibility of rioting. And they will win [the election] by rioting and vote looting," Banerjee alleged at an election rally.

Earlier today, the West Bengal Chief Minister, while greeting the people of the state, appealed to "maintain peace" during the celebrations.

The BJP, however, condemned it, saying that the West Bengal Chief Minister was "humiliating the Indian and Sanatani culture".

"West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee has made a post on social media appealing to maintain peace, this is demeaning the festival of Ramnavami as on the other religious occasions you (Mamata Banerjee) have given the message of peace, but here you are asking ’to maintain peace’ instead of giving the message of peace and prosperity, by doing this you’re trying to humiliate the Indian and Sanatani culture," BJP Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said.

Meanwhile, both the Trinamool Congress and BJP held Ram Navami processions across West Bengal. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari attended one such Ram Navami procession in the New Town area of the city, while TMC minister Arup Roy and the party’s Howrah Lok Sabha constituency candidate Prasun Banerjee walked with processions in Howrah town.

Hundreds of similar processions, small and big, with youths chanting ’Jai Shri Ram’ and holding saffron flags and replicas of swords amid frenzied beating of drums, were conducted across the state.

Police and security forces are keeping vigil, but the situation has remained peaceful so far.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a poll rally in West Bengal, accused the Trinamool Congress of plotting to halt the Ram Navami festivities. "This year’s Ram Navami celebrations are different as Ram Lalla has returned home in Ayodhya. But the TMC, as in previous years, opposes Ram Navami celebrations in the state and hatches conspiracies," Modi said.

PM Modi was referring to the Calcutta High Court’s decision allowing the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to hold a Ram Navami procession in Howrah city, while imposing certain conditions to ensure the event takes place without tension.