Kolkata: Within the aftermath of the Ram temple inauguration at Ayodhya, the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal on April 17 are poised to turn into a political battleground, with the saffron camp organising large-scale occasions throughout the state to showcase “Hindu unity” earlier than the Lok Sabha polls.
With the primary section of elections scheduled on April 19 and the second on April 26, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the BJP intends to stoke communal tensions.
With the BJP-RSS making deep inroads in West Bengal through the years, the Ram Navami competition, beforehand celebrated in restricted pockets of the state, has expanded in scale and prominence over the previous decade.
Following the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya earlier this 12 months, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has deliberate an intensive Ram Mahotsav programme from April 9 to April 23, culminating on Hanuman Jayanti.
Lately, Ram Navami rallies within the state have escalated into main political points resulting from communal riots, with the ruling TMC and opposition BJP accusing one another of inciting violence.
Because the BJP goals at consolidating Hindus earlier than the polls, the TMC, not able to cede floor to the saffron camp, can be doing its bit because the state authorities declared a vacation on Ram Navami for the primary time and the get together planning rallies throughout the state.
Sachindranath Singha, VHP’s nationwide assistant secretary, said, “This 12 months we’re observing the Ram Mahotsav competition. On the day of Ram Navami on April 17, we’ll manage programmes or rallies throughout all gram panchayats and municipal wards within the state. Now we have lined up greater than 5,000 programmes statewide.”
He added, “The Ram Navami programme throughout the state will likely be an illustration of Hindu would possibly and unity. Hindu unity transcends politics; it’s about religion in Lord Ram.”
Singha clarified that the rallies and programmes wouldn’t contain weapons, besides these organised by conventional Akharas, the place carrying weapons is a customary ritual.
To a question about BJP’s participation within the rallies, Singha famous, “Anybody can take part in Ram Navami rallies of their particular person capability.”
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar confirmed the get together’s involvement, stating, “Yearly we take part in Ram Navami programmes. This 12 months too, there will likely be no change. Occasion staff and leaders will take part as devotees of Lord Ram.”
A senior BJP chief, talking anonymously, expressed hopes of political positive aspects from Hindu consolidation via the Ram Navami occasions.
He stated, “To attain our goal of 25 seats, there’s a want for Hindu consolidation, and Ram Navami celebrations will certainly assist us in doing that.”
Within the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 18 seats, whereas the TMC gained 22 and the Congress two.
Till latest years, Ram Navami was not extensively celebrated in Bengal which is historically related extra with the Durga Puja competition. Nonetheless, since 2016, coinciding with the BJP’s rise within the state, the competition has gained momentum.
Regardless of its rising recognition, Ram Navami celebrations have been marred by violence in 2017, 2018, and 2023, with communal riots erupting resulting from clashes between teams over processions and rallies.
The TMC accused the BJP of orchestrating the riots, a declare dismissed by the BJP, which attributed the violence to TMC’s appeasement politics.
This 12 months, Banerjee alleged that the BJP plans to instigate riots through the Ram Navami rallies. “As elections method, the BJP plans to set off communal riots throughout Ram Navami rallies. I urge all residents to not fall into this entice,” she stated at varied election rallies.
The TMC additionally plans to organise rallies in varied components of the state. In Howrah, the place communal riots occurred final 12 months throughout Ram Navami, the TMC will host a serious rally on April 17.
The TMC has urged the Election Fee to make sure that the non secular competition doesn’t turn into a platform for polarisation.
“We don’t imagine in mixing politics with faith. The individuals of the state will reject the BJP’s communal politics,” TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen stated.
Senior CPI(M) chief Sujan Chakraborty warned that such celebrations would “solely sharpen aggressive communalism within the state, which each the TMC and the BJP need.”
Political analyst Subhamoy Maitra believes that the Ram Navami celebrations, bolstered by the Ram Temple occasion, will present the BJP with vital political leverage forward of the elections.
“Will probably be a bonus for the BJP within the state, as they’re a seasoned participant on this pitch of Hindu polarisation. The TMC would possibly have interaction in aggressive communalism, however the end result stays unsure,” he noticed.
