‘BJP Awarded Karthik Maharaj For Attacking Mamata Banerjee’: TMC’s Kunal Ghosh On Padma Honour
Maharaj had sent a legal notice to Mamata Banerjee in May 2024, following her remarks against him during an election rally, which he said "tarnished" the honour of Bharat Sevashram Sangha.
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh on Sunday slammed Centre's decision to confer Padma Shri upon Sevashram Sangha monk Kartik Maharaj, saying that he was being awarded by the BJP for attacking Mamata Banerjee.
Kartik Maharaj had got caught up in a row between TMC and BJP at the time of Lok Sabha elections 2024 when a statement by the Bengal CM did not go down well with him. Banerjee, while addressing an election rally, had alleged that some monks from the Bharat Sevashram Sangha were aiding BJP in the general elections, and were working against the TMC in the state.
"Karthik Maharaj receiving this award proves that this is a BJP award, it is sponsored, recommended and given by BJP... We don't need to learn Hinduism from Karthik Maharaj... Mamta Kulkarni has also taken Sanyas... If today someone becomes a Sanyasi, it can't erase their previous works... Karthik Maharaj is a respected person in his circle but the award he got is under the recommendation of BJP and for political use... BJP awarded him for attacking Mamata Banerjee," Ghosh said.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | On Karthik Maharaj conferred Padma Shri award, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, "Arijit Singh deserves the award, he is a great singer... But Karthik Maharaj receiving this award proves that this is a BJP award, it is sponsored, recommended and given… pic.twitter.com/l0M4NcdR42
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2025
The TMC supremo had also alleged that Kartik Maharaj had said he would not allow any TMC agent in the poll booth in Behrampore as she claimed he was "directly involved in politics and is ruining the country".
Following this, the monk had sought apology from Banerjee within four days time and even sent her a legal notice, warning to file a defamation if she did not apologise for her remarks. "The honour of Bharat Sevashram Sangha has been tarnished by Mamata's statement. The Chief Minister must apologise for her remarks," he said in the legal notice to Banerjee.
Kunal Ghosh also reacted to President Droupadi Murmu's speech, reiterating TMC's stance against 'One Nation, One Election'.
"Our stance is very clear and we oppose 'One Nation, One Election' as it is not possible in our infrastructure... It is a huge country and the local, assembly and central elections have different perspectives... Interim elections happen here... President's speech is scripted by government and reads the government's agenda," he added.
'I Thank Bengal Govt For Criticising Me', Says Maharaj
Meanwhile, Kartik Maharaj expressed gratitude for being given the Padma Shri award by the central government. He also thanked the Bengal government for criticising him and his work, which he said made him famous across India and helped him gain recognition.
“I thank the Bengal government and the state ruling party. Their criticism of me and my work helped my efforts gain nationwide recognition. Their advertisements made me famous across India. Earlier, I was only known in Murshidabad, but now I am known nationwide," Maharaj told CNN-News18.
"Those who wear saffron do not seek awards, rewards, or appreciation. Our organisation, Bharat Sevashram Sangh, along with our hospital and school, will benefit greatly from this recognition," Maharaj added.
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