WB govt resorting to 'appeasement politics': BJP

Suri (WB): The BJP on Monday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal of "preventing" Hindus from observing their religious festivals such as Ram Navami and alleged that it was resorting to "politics of minority appeasement".

"The TMC government is pursuing the politics of minority appeasement. Hindus in Suri cannot observe their religious festivals such as Ram Navami. But, arms were allowed to be carried in Muharram processions without (valid) permission," BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said in Suri.

"We will remove the TMC government through agitation and movement if it did not stop its appeasement policy," he added. Participating in a BJP procession to protest alleged atrocities on Hindus by the police in West Bengal, Vijayvargiya said the TMC government should treat everyone equally.

"If Muslims are allowed to observe Eid, Muharram, Hindus should also be allowed to celebrate their festivals. Police should not resort to lathi charge on Ram Navami processions," he added.

The BJP leader's statement came in the wake of tension in Suri in Birbhum district after police allegedly resorted to lathi charge on Ram Navami processions. He also urged the people not to support those political parties who raised slogans like 'Bharatmata Murdabad'.

Vijayvargiya claimed that many TMC, Congress and CPI(M) leaders in Bengal wanted to join the BJP but "we will not take those who are involved in Narada and Saradha chit fund scams". State BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, "In Bengal, it has become a sin to raise slogans like Jai Sri Ram. We have taken to the streets to protect the rights of the people."

Referring to brandishing of swords at Ram Navami processions allegedly by RSS affiliates, Mamata had said on April 12, "Some locals suddenly popped up asking the people to play with swords. That's not Bengal's culture. "Let them learn about Bengal's culture first, then comment on the state."