Two days after the Calcutta High Court allowed Ram Navami processions with certain restrictions, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Agnimitra Paul raised concerns over the restrictions imposed by the state authorities on the Ram Navami Akhara processions scheduled today in Kharagpur. Earlier on Tuesday, a war of words erupted between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over ‘Shobha Yatras’.
“Police are putting too much pressure on Ram Navami Akhara procession, which is going to be taken out today… like DJ cannot be played, a certain time is scheduled and more than four vehicles cannot be taken out,” Agnimitra told ANI.
“Timing was not looked at during Muharram but it has been being looked at during Ram Navami and Durga Puja, we are not going to tolerate this anymore,” Paul asserted further.
Earlier in the day, CM Mamata Banerjee, extending greetings of Ram Navami, said, “Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. I appeal to maintain peace, prosperity, and development for all.”
Weapon Display During Ram Navami 'Shobha Yatra' In Howrah
The Ram Navami celebrations in Howrah witnessed a display of weapons during a procession led by BJP's Howrah candidate Rathin Chakraborty, ABP Ananda reported. Addressing the issue, Chakraborty defended the presence of weapons during the procession. “Weapons are also worshipped in Ram Navami. The Weapon is for peace. No Malicious intent,” he was quoted as saying by ABP Ananda.
“Seditionist forces want to mark Ram Navami as a riot day. But Indian religion will live forever in the same way,” he added.
However, the display of weapons sparked controversy, with Trinamool Congress also organising a large Ram Navami ‘Shobha Yatra’. On the occasion, TMC candidate Prasoon Banerjee said, “My religion should not hurt other's religion”.
Procession Permission Withdrawn At Jadavpur University, BJP Reacts
In another development, complaints emerged regarding the withdrawal of permission to celebrate Ram Navami at Jadavpur University. Following the incident, the BJP accused authorities of “succumbing to pressure from leftist student organisations”. However, the TMC responded by saying, that it is University's autonomy to make such decisions.
Posting on X, the Bengal BJP wrote, “The Jadavpur authorities have withdrawn the permission due to the fear of the leftist student organization. Both Trinamool and CPM are two sides of the same coin. No one can be trusted for the sake of Bengal”.
In this regard, the leader of the opposition party in the state, Subvendu Adhikari, said, "Earlier, a JU student was killed in a ragging incident. In order to protest the incident, I went there to participate in an event. You saw how I was labelled as a Maoist and targeted. This anti-national and anti-Constitution gang is being protected by CM Mamata Banerjee.”.
TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty hit back at the BJP, saying, “Bengal BJP wants to conduct Ram Navami processions but not Saraswati Puja on the university premises. Only they can explain their stance. We believe religion is for everyone. My religion should not hurt others' religion. A university is an autonomous body. The Governor [CV Ananda Bose] tried to create a stagnant situation in the university. Maybe that's why the university took such a decision. Even the high court has specified a set of rules [for Ram Navami Shobha Yatra]."