As the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) plans for over 2,000 rallies, 200 tableaus and Sree Ram Mahostav at 5,000 locations for Ram Navami in West Bengal, the organisation says it is concerned about “security” in the state.
Chandranath Das, VHP South Bengal secretary, said, “In the past years, we have seen our rallies attacked, and stones were pelted. Though talks are on with the police, we believe they will not be able to give us adequate security. It is upon us. We will retaliate if attacked during our celebrations.”
VHP leaders are planning for over 50 Shoyayatras in Kolkata alone. “We plan to celebrate Ram Navmi like never before and will also organise Sree Ram Mahotsav, a pan-India programme in Bengal too. From Ram Navami on April 6 to Hanuman Jayanti on April 12, the programmes will take place at various places. Apart from pujas and rallies, religious songs, speeches about Lord Ram’s life will be held in different parts of the state,” said Das.
Das said that for the past two months, the VHP has sent letters to police detailing their plans for these rallies and the routes they will take, and he claimed that they have even had meetings with the police.
“We have made our own security arrangements. I must say, if we are attacked, we have the right to defend ourselves,” he said.
Mentioning a recent communal clash in Mothabari, Das said,”Look what happened in Mothabari. The preparatory rally for Ram Navami had passed the area when a section of people targeted shops and vehicles.”
Over 34 people were arrested, prohibitory orders placed and Internet suspended in Mothabari and surrounding areas following a communal clash last Thursday. Police had said that last Wednesday, a preparatory rally for Ram Navami passed a local mosque. A section of people alleged that fire crackers were thrown near the mosque before the clash broke out the next day.
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Lakshman Bansal, VHP secretary for North Bengal, said that each rally will have a range of 1,000 attendees to over five lakh. “The Siliguri rally will be among the biggest ones… In Siliguri itself, there will be 156 tableaus highlighting various issues like family values, social togetherness, women empowerment , icons like Birsa Munda etc. Lakhs of people will gather. In Siliguri, 29 NGOs and other organisations will provide support like giving water or prasad to people. In all major crossings, bhajans and nationalistic signs will be played.”
Meanwhile, the Bengal police had recently held a press conference and asked the public to be vigil during the festivities. Stating that miscreants may try to “create communal divides”, police stated that a huge deployment would take place across the state.
During her speech at Red Road during Eid celebrations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that the West Bengal government is “with” the Muslim community. “If they tell you something, remember that Didi stands with you … the entire government is with you. Do not believe they can do anything to you. If they want to shout and scream, let them,” the CM said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd