Ram Navami Holiday: The BJP said Mamata Banerjee has done this to “redeem her anti-Hindu image”. (file)
Calcutta:
Ram Navami has been declared a public holiday in West Bengal on April 18 this year. The move came “too late”, said BJP, claiming that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wants to “redeem her anti-Hindu image”.
Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Saraswati Puja – the most important festivals in West Bengal – were public holidays in the state, with Ram Navami being the latest addition. The state witnessed incidents of violence during the Ram Navami processions in recent years, leading to political blame games.
The move comes ahead of the announcement of the national elections, which are expected to be a direct battle between the BJP and Ms Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared a Bengal government notification declaring Ram Navami as a holiday and claimed that chants of “Jai Shree Ram” infuriated Ms Banerjee.
“Mamata Banerjee, who turned blue with anger every time she heard 'Jai Shree Ram', has designated Ram Navami (April 17) as a public holiday in West Bengal. She has done this to cash in on her anti-Hindu image. But late,” Mr. Malviya quipped.
He added, “More importantly, she should ensure that there is no stone pelting during the Ram Navami processions. Will she?'
The Trinamool is yet to respond to the BJP leader's comment.
Before the clashes during Ram Navami last year, Ms Banerjee had accused 'outsiders' of trying to disrupt harmony in the state. To justify the police's actions during the rally, she had questioned why people brought bulldozers to the religious procession, carried weapons and danced with a gun.
The BJP is already in attack mode over the Sandeshkhali row in which strongman and former Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested last week. Shahjahan is facing multiple charges of sexual assault and land grabbing in the island village of North 24 Paraganas district.
BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari will address a rally in Sandeshkhali today as the Trinamool prepares for a massive rally at the iconic Brigade Parade Grounds in Calcutta. Sources say Ms Banerjee might also declare the Trinamool candidates at the meeting.
