Howrah Ram Navami Violence: Planned one, says Abhishek Banerjee

TMC’s all-powerful general secretary hinted that the Ram Navami violence is a planned one. However, he fails to explain why the Bengal police did not take the necessary steps to prevent it

NEW DELHI | Updated: 01 April, 2023 12:53 am IST
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee

After the opposition blamed the West Bengal government for the Ram Navami violence in Howrah, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) tried to pass the buck to turn the tables on the opposition.

Blaming the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the violence, TMC’s all-powerful national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said that the violence was a planned one.

Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, alleged that there have been attempts to disrupt communal harmony through riots and hooliganism.

“We had heard that something like this was being planned for many days. Two days ago, (West Bengal Chief minister) Mamata Banerjee stated the same during her dharna at the Red Road,” Abhishek Banerjee, who is the nephew of Bengal CM, said.

Abhishek also assured that the guilty will be brought to justice. “Criminals have no religion. Anyone involved in Howrah violence will be brought to justice irrespective of their religion or political affiliation,” he said.

While the Bengal government blamed the organisers of the Ram Navami Shobha Yatra for digressing from the designated routes, the BJP claimed that Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) received all permissions for taking out the Ram Navami procession.

Reacting to the BJP’s claim, Abhishek Banerjee said, “I want to share the BJP’s letter of application with everyone. An application for a procession does not mean permission because the applicant has to secure an NOC or permission from police based on the guidelines of the courts, the pollution control board, and other administrative frameworks.”

Further questioning the BJP, Abhishek Banerjee asked, “Ram symbolises devotion, courage, and power. We know him as Prabhu Ram. Why would someone pay respect to Ram by destroying peace, keeping guns in their pockets and playing DJ in localities in the name of Ram Navami?”

On a buzzing day, Union Home minister Amit Shah called Member of Parliament Sukanta Majumdar and inquired about the law and order situation in West Bengal. Majumdar is also the president of the Bengal unit of the BJP.

“Home Minister Amit Shah called the Governor because he is a part of the administration. But I don’t know why he called Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar, who does not have any administrative position and only holds an organisational post in the BJP. Maybe he wanted to know if their plan had succeeded or not?” Abhishek Banerjee said.

A massive clash broke out between Hindus and Muslims during the Ram Navami procession in West Bengal’s Howrah on Thursday. The violence caused chaos on the streets as vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged and people got injured as they ran for safety.

As per the latest information from official sources, 36 people were arrested for violence. More than five police personnel were also injured.

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