The Ram Navami rally, which commenced in the outskirts of Kolkata from New Town, witnessed a clash between BJP leader Locket Chatterjee and the police on Sunday. Locket Chatterjee alleged that the police obstructed her led rally, forcing a change in its path.
According to PTI, when the rally reached near Keshtopur, the police prevented it from accessing Salt Lake through VIP Road, sparking a heated exchange between Locket Chatterjee and the police. Chatterjee emphasized that this is not a political event but a religious celebration, where participants voluntarily joined. She questioned, when the rally has all the necessary permissions, how can it be halted?
To avoid further controversy, Locket Chatterjee directed the rally to proceed via an alternative route. The rally began with Locket Chatterjee starting from Ram Temple, New Town, aboard a two-wheeler. BJP leader Arjun Singh also joined this rally. The rally was supposed to culminate at the Hanuman Temple in Dumdum.
Day 1
: Locket Chatterjee starts the rally from New Town.
Day 2
: Confrontation with police at Keshtopur.
Day 3
: Rally proceeds via alternative route.
Day 4
: Conclusion at Hanuman Temple, Dumdum.
The Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also took part in the Ram Navami procession. He asserted that Hindus across West Bengal will not be divided. It's a saffron wave. Adhikari laid the foundation of a Ram Temple in Sonachura village, Nandigram, marking it as a symbol of peace and culture. This location is significant as the land movement of 2007 began there.
BJP leaders described Ram Navami as a symbol of Hindu unity and accused the state government of attempting to curb festivals. Meanwhile, the TMC accused the BJP of polarization under the guise of celebrations. On the other hand, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose thanked people for a peaceful celebration after his visit to Ram Temple in Kolkata, stating that peace was possible through the joint efforts of the state government, political parties, and Raj Bhawan.
