Amidst the ongoing violence in Bengal following the Ram Navami celebrations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of keeping her on the edge by inciting violence and orchestrating riots.
Addressing a public rally, Banerjee on Tuesday in Purba Medinipur said, “While I am visiting the districts, I have to remain vigilant. We must stay alert because we never know where the BJP will incite riots and violence. I am on the phone constantly because we don’t know when and where they will start. The BJP fails to understand that violence is not Bengal’s culture. The people of Bengal do not believe in creating chaos, unlike the BJP, who seems to have made it their modus operandi,” said the TMC supremo.
She accused the BJP of “destroying the name of Ram.”
“BJP is maligning the name of Lord Ram by organising violence during Ram Navami. They are trying to malign the image of Hindus as well. These rioters have no religion, their only identity is that they are political goons hired by the BJP. Have we ever seen a procession during Durga puja? In Bengal, we follow Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhatt Puja, Eid, Christmas, and many more festivals with utmost peace and prosperity. They are destroying the name of Ram,” she said.
Banerjee emphasized that Bengalis abhor riots. She further accused the BJP of bringing outsiders into the state to incite violence.
Banerjee also claimed that the BJP is using the guise of Ram Navami processions to encourage individuals to carry weapons and provoke violence, a practice that was characteristic of the CPI(M). She added that the Trinamool Congress will continue its fight against such violence and will not back down even if its members are injured.
“We want to tell the BJP leaders and their sponsored goondas, that Trinamool congress will never back down, even if we get injured, we will continue our struggle,” said Banerjee.
Two particular areas in West Bengal Rishra in Hooghly and Shibpur in Howrah are reeling under arson and violence that precisely began on Thursday evening and Sunday evening separately.
Rishra has seen a heavy deployment of the police force. Section 144 has been imposed in Rishra and other areas. Till Monday10 am internet services have been suspended in a few wards of Rishra and Mahesh..
The decision has been taken to maintain law and order and prevent rumours.
Heavy stone pelting took place in that particular area after the violence broke out in Rishra on Sunday.
On Thursday evening a massive clash broke out between two groups which led to burning of vehicles on road, chaos and injuring people after 5:30 in the evening in Howrah.
Bharatiya Janata Party will raise the violence took place during the Ram Navami procession in the parliament.
Violence and arson have been reported in two areas of West Bengal – Rishra in Hooghly and Shibpur in Howrah. The violence started on Thursday evening and Sunday evening respectively. Heavy police deployment has been seen in Rishra, with Section 144 imposed in Rishra and other areas. Internet services have been suspended in a few wards of Rishra and Mahesh till Monday at 10 am to maintain law and order and prevent rumours.
Stone pelting occurred after violence broke out in Rishra on Sunday. In Howrah, a massive clash broke out between two groups on Thursday evening leading to burning of vehicles, chaos and injuring people after 5:30 in the evening. The Bharatiya Janata Party plans to raise the violence during the Ram Navami procession in Parliament.