BJP MP seeks ‘intervention’ from West Bengal Governor: ‘State’s Hindus face targeted violence, festivals increasingly under siege’ | Kolkata News
In a letter to West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, BJP MP from Purulia Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato wrote that Hindus in West Bengal “(are facing) continuous and targetted violence… from “Durga Puja to Kali Puja, Hindu festivals are increasingly under siege”. Mahato sought Bose’s “intervention” in this matter.
His letter comes at a time when the BJP’s West Bengal leadership has alleged that a number of incidents of violence took place during the recently concluded Durga Puja and Kali Puja.
“There have been frequent reports of disruptions, stone-pelting, and physical violence against devotees during these celebrations, which are not just festivals but deeply cherished parts of the Bengali Hindu identity,” the letter read. Sent on Tuesday, a copy of it is with The Indian Express.
“Your esteemed office has always been seen as a guardian of peace and harmony, and under these trying circumstances, we turn to you for urgent intervention… We request you to urgently: Examine the recent incidents of violence and ensure that justice is meted out without any political bias. Review the state government’s actions and policies that seem to embolden radical elements. Ensure the fair and lawful treatment of Hindu festivals and religious observances… Monitor the administration’s responses to anti-Hindu social media posts and investigate any links to extremist elements,” Mahato further wrote.
“As the Governor, you have certain discretionary powers under Article 163 of the Indian Constitution, which could be employed to address these matters,” he added.
‘This year alone, several attacks have been reported during Durga Puja and Kali Puja immersions across the state. In a recent incident in Kolkata’s Rajabazar area, participants in a Kali Puja immersion procession were reportedly assaulted, with the police later dismissing the matter as a “parking dispute,” which only adds to the concerns of neglect and bias by the authorities,” the letter mentions.
It was on the night of November 1 when, according to police, a parking dispute snowballed into a major clash between two groups in Narkeldanga-Rajabazar in North Kolkata, prompting the police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to resort to lathi charge and use of tear gas. Kali Puja immersion processions had been on, but police had denied any disruptions.
“Social media is rife with posts and messages propagating anti-Hindu sentiments, with worrying calls to replicate the violence witnessed in Bangladesh against Hindus. Posts on WhatsApp and other platforms boast about “achievements” in Bangladesh, and chillingly, some users now discuss “achieving similar outcomes in (West) Bengal.” The alarming silence of the Bengal administration on these issues reflects either willful ignorance or intentional support of such divisive narratives,” the letter read.
