In the heart of Murshidabad, West Bengal, a clash during the Ramnavami procession has spurred a face-off between the BJP and TMC, with allegations of premeditated violence.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP of orchestrating riots in Bengal, questioning who sanctioned swords at the Ramnavami procession. She queries why a DIG was reassigned just a day before Ramnavami – was it to enable violence?
At a Raiganj gathering, she pointedly tells Yogi Adityanath – scheduled to speak in Bengal – to first manage his own state. She reveals her incredulity at BJP's audacity to threaten the discontinuation of her government's 'Lakshmi Bhandar' scheme. Asserting her secular credentials, she says, "We worship Maa Durga, celebrate Eid and partake in Iftar. I join in Christmas celebrations at church too. Our ethos is to live unitedly," she states.
BJP's Counter to Mamata Banerjee's Accusations
In response to the Ramnavami clash in Bengal, BJP senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad declares that the people are not with Mamata, accusing her of inciting the public. "Why do such incidents only occur in Bengal?" he asks, reflecting on the venom in Mamata's speeches.
Mamata's allegations, calling the Murshidabad incident preplanned, are refuted by West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar, who insists the attack hailed from a TMC office. He accuses Mamata of provoking people in the name of Lord Ram, alluding to her appeasement politics. He urges for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) inspection into the assaults during the Ramnavami rally.
Dilip Ghosh, BJP MP from West Bengal, speaks out too, saying Muslims don’t wish to riot. "They want to join PM Modi for communal harmony and development. However, Mamata Banerjee seems to have masterminded this incident by bringing in hired goons," he states.
The Unfolding of the Ramnavami Procession
On the 17th of April in the Shaktipur area of Murshidabad, stone-pelting from rooftop dwellers disrupted a Ramnavami procession. The ensuing chaos led to police intervention, including baton charges and tear gas deployment, culminating in several injuries and hospitalizations. Additionally, a blast injured a woman amidst the commotion.
Mamata's Preemptive Warning on Communal Unrest
This remarkable incident followed a warning from CM Mamata Banerjee about potential unrest during Ramnavami in Murshidabad. She remarked that conspiracies to trigger riots in the state were afoot, warning that such upheavals would be purposely incited to skew electoral outcomes through violence and voter manipulation.
"Notably, the DIG of Murshidabad was replaced solely on BJP's instructive just today. If any riots take place in Murshidabad and Malda now, it's on the Election Commission, since they're overseeing law and order," Banerjee commented, hinting at foul play by the BJP. She placed the onus of any ensuing riots squarely on the Election Commission, stating they would be accountable in the event of violence.
It's worth mentioning that last year's Ramnavami celebrations in Bengal also witnessed disturbances, resulting in significant confrontations between the BJP and Trinamool Congress.
