Tension erupts during Ram Navami procession in Bengal’s Howrah, CM warns of stern action

The Ram Navami procession was being taken out from Avani Hall to the Howrah Maidan area. The procession was organised by Anjani Putra Sena, an NGO that takes out Ram Navami procession every year.

“Stones were pelted from the rooftops when the procession was passing through the PM Basti area in Howrah’s Shibpur. Out of fear, we left the place,” said a Howrah resident who was a part of the procession.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the BJP for the incident and said: “Time and again, they keep trying to stoke communal violence and it is the only thing they’re good at. Even today, they caused communal violence in Howrah. I have repeatedly said that I will not block any Ram Navami procession. I had given instructions to my party workers as well as the police. While one community is celebrating Annapurna Puja, the other is observing fast during Ramzan. We have over 33 per cent Muslim population in the state, they fast and pray during this significant period.

“I had said it repeatedly [not to disrupt the peace]. They have been hiring goons from outside the state to orchestrate communal riots. Nobody has stopped their processions but they do not have the right to march with swords and bulldozers. How did they get the audacity to do this in Howrah?”

Banerjee alleged that the organisers of the procession changed the route at the last moment.

“Why did they change the route [at the last moment] and take the unauthorised route to target and attack one community? If they believe that they will attack others and receive relief through legal interventions, they must know that the people will reject them one day. Those who haven’t done any wrong will not be arrested,” she said.

The CM said stern action will be taken against everyone involved in the unrest.

“Those who were involved in today’s violence will not be spared. As far as the police are concerned, they are working tirelessly, but at times they find themselves in a tough situation to have good relations on both sides and maintain peace. But let me make this very clear, in today’s incident, the ones who gave safe passage to the offenders, I will take strong action against them as well. There were clear instructions to mark the routes for the procession. I do not support the riot mongers and consider them the enemy of the country. They [BJP] have always targeted Howrah. The other targets for them are Park Circus and Islampur. Everybody must be alert in their localities,” she added.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “I don’t want to respond to her statements. She is the reason for all the disruption.”

The RSS and the BJP carried out a number of processions on the occasion of Ram Navami in West Bengal Thursday. Notably, a large police force was deployed in several areas to avoid any untoward incident.

“This time, the incident in Howrah took place in the same area where last time also the procession was attacked with stones. Such incidents are a fallout of the minority appeasement of the TMC and the police’s inaction,” said BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya.