West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced concerns on Wednesday, alleging potential plans to instigate riots in the state during the Ram Navami celebrations. Recalling last year’s violent clashes between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress, Banerjee warned of the possibility of further unrest.
“They are poised to incite riots today. There is a looming threat of rioting. They aim to secure victory through rioting and electoral malpractice,” Banerjee asserted during an election rally.
Earlier in the day, Banerjee extended greetings to the people of West Bengal and urged them to “maintain peace” amidst the festivities.
However, the BJP condemned her remarks, accusing Banerjee of disrespecting Indian and Sanatani culture.
“West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee’s social media appeal for maintaining peace is perceived as a slight to the festival of Ram Navami. While on other religious occasions, peace messages were conveyed, this instance of calling for ‘peace maintenance’ is seen as a denigration of Indian and Sanatani culture,” remarked BJP Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi.
Meanwhile, both the Trinamool Congress and BJP organized Ram Navami processions across West Bengal. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari participated in a procession in New Town, while TMC minister Arup Roy and party candidate Prasun Banerjee joined processions in Howrah.
Throughout the state, numerous processions marked by enthusiastic chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and adorned with saffron flags and replica swords proceeded peacefully, albeit under police and security force surveillance.
During a poll rally in West Bengal on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Trinamool Congress of attempting to disrupt the Ram Navami festivities.
“This year’s Ram Navami holds special significance as Ram Lalla has returned to Ayodhya. However, the TMC, as in previous years, seeks to impede the celebrations and conspires against them,” Modi remarked, referring to the Calcutta High Court’s decision to permit a Ram Navami procession in Howrah city under specific conditions to ensure a tension-free event.
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