‘Such processions worrisome’

Kolkata: Ruling Trinamul Congress and Opposition Left Front asked what “culture” was the RSS and BJP trying to import into Bengal. 

CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra expressed his concern on Thursday over RSS women and children parading with arms to mark the occasion of Ram Navami. “The state government’s way of tackling these armed rallies is a matter of concern. I will urge the state to convene and all-party meeting and discuss how to counter this sort of situation. Such happenings are unprecedented and do not match Bengal’s political and social culture,” Mr Mishra said.

He alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was not allowing the CPI(M) and other Left parties to hold political rallies in the state. “The state government is also allowing the RSS to use school buildings and grounds to hold their arms training. 

“Trinamul Congress activists were seen in a number of rallies organised by the RSS and their affiliated organisations in different parts of the state. If the BJP was worshipping Rama, the Trinamul Congress was busy playing its disciple by worshipping Hanuman across Bengal,” Mr Mishra said. 

Leader of the left legislative party, Sujan Chakraborty, also questioned the Mamata Banerjee government. “The administration would have stopped the organisers well in advance, but it didn’t. This is just a part of the tactics to bargain with the Centre for more sops,” Mr Chakraborty said.

However, the BJP defended the rallies. BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha said, “Trishuls and swords are now playthings for the children. Bombs, pistols and bullets are used as firearms. It is the Trinamul Congress who carry these weapons for unleashing violence. They have turned Bengal into an armoury. She has  possibly forgotten  that Muslims also carry swords during Muharram.”