BJP's Suvendu accuses Mamata of inciting violence on Ram Navami
Suvendu Adhikari, the opposition leader in West Bengal, has blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the clashes during the Ram Navami procession in West Bengal's Murshidabad on Wednesday. The unrest resulted in injuries to four people. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s leader alleged that Banerjee's provocative speech incited troublemakers and called for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the incident.
Adhikari seeks governor's intervention
Adhikari alleged that the "rioting" in Murshidabad took place due to a controversial statement made by Banerjee at a rally, in which she said, "If you see them [the BJP] sloganeering [April 17], it is their [BJP's)] day of riot." Taking this statement into consideration, Adhikari claimed he has written a letter to Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose. "I requested him to immediately intervene in order to control the failing Law and Order Situation," Adhikari wrote.
Ram Navami clash incident
On Wednesday, while a procession held by the Shaktipur Ram Navami Utsav Ujjapan Committee was passing by Shaktipur High School, unidentified miscreants allegedly pelted stones from rooftops. The violence was quelled when police officers accompanying the parade chased away the troublemakers, and additional forces were called in. State BJP leaders who participated in the processions, some of whom were caught wielding swords in defiance of court restrictions, accused the TMC of failing to protect Hindus during the attack.
PM Modi accuses TMC of opposing Ram Navami
Before the incident on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also accused the TMC of "opposing" the Ram Navami celebrations using "conspiracies." In response, CM Banerjee accused the BJP of meddling in state officials' transfers and cautioned that the saffron party would bear responsibility for any potential riots. The PM's comments came after the Calcutta High Court, earlier in the week, granted permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to hold a procession on Ram Navami in Howrah city.
2023's Ram Navami clashes
In recent years, Ram Navami celebrations have become a focal point of political contention, often escalating into major confrontations and even communal violence, particularly in the eastern state. Last year, clashes broke out in Howrah on March 30, subsequently spreading to two other districts, North Dinajpur and Hooghly. At least 10 people were injured in these clashes.
