Kolkata: Far away from the Ram Mandir issue in Uttar Pradesh, mega Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal by the RSS and the VHP seem to be marking an emergence of a new political equation in the state with many Trinamool Congress leaders, too, deciding to celebrate the festival in a grand way on Wednesday.
Fearing the RSS and BJP’s allegedly aggressive Hindutva politics, the TMC has reportedly decided to block the Hindu vote space being wooed by right-wing organisations hoping for a foothold in Bengal politics.
Speaking to News18, Bidyut Mukherjee, the organisational secretary of the RSS, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said, “This time vishesh (special) arrangement is being made to celebrate Ram Navami across the state. It will be organised under the banner of Ram Navami Utjapan Samity (Organisation for celebration of Rama Navami).”
“We have information that many Trinamool Congress leaders have also decided to celebrate Ram Navami in some parts of Asansol and Midnapore in Bengal. The move seems to be an effort to corner us,” he said.
“There will be more than 300 camps, several processions and public meetings across Bengal,” Mukherjee said.
Rubbishing the RSS claim, TMC leader and state transport minister Subhendu Adhikari said, “We don’t want to politicise Ram Navami celebrations. Every year, we celebrate all major festivals irrespective of caste and religion.”
“Those (RSS) who are claiming that we are celebrating the festival because of vote-bank politics should get their facts right,” he said.
When asked whether he will be present during the Ram Navami celebration in Contai (East Midnapore) on Wednesday, Adhikari said, “Yes, I will be present there.”
Like Adhikari, another TMC leader and mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Jitendra Tiwary, is also celebrating the festival. “This is not for the first time we are celebrating this festival. But this time, the issue took political overtones because of media attention and Ram Temple issue in UP.”
When asked why this time he has decided to celebrate the festival in a big way, he said, “Time has changed and so has the festival. The BJP, RSS and VHP leaders are politicising the issue, but we don’t want to indulge in dirty politics.”
He said, “Tomorrow (Wednesday), there will be a grand celebration around 3pm in Pandabeswar in Bardhaman, on April 6 in Burnpur and on April 7 in Asansol. I will personally monitor the celebration and welcome all to participate.”
BJP state President Dilip Ghosh said, “TMC leaders are worried over BJP’s rise in the state and, therefore, many of them have decided to celebrate Ram Navami across Bengal. It’s a do-or-die situation for them.”
“For first time, TMC leaders are concentrating on Ram Navami festivals and the reason behind it is known to all of us. In next few years, West Bengal will see a new political colour because most of the ruling leaders will be busy with cases related to Narada and Saradha scams,” he said, adding that the TMC should clarify why suddenly Ram Navami has become important for them.
The RSS had recently passed a resolution at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Coimbatore expressing concerns over rise in ‘jihadi’ activities and the declining Hindu population in West Bengal.
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