The state secretariat Nabanna on Saturday issued a notification in this regard as per which all state government and government-sponsored institutions, barring emergency services, will be closed on April 17.
While the BJP alleged that the move was intended for Mamata to shed her anti-Hindu image ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the TMC accused the saffron party of making the comments as it had an affinity for “divisive politics”.
The state government’s latest announcement is considered to be significant, coming ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. In April 2023, Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah had said at a programme in Bengal, “Give us 35 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and we will make sure that you are able to take out Ram Navami processions peacefully.”
Interestingly, West Bengal has witnessed huge participation in Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti-related events in recent years. Several untoward incidents and communal tension have also been reported in the state over the last few years during Ram Navami. Last year too, violence was reported in Hooghly district’s Rishra and in Howrah. Following this, central forces were deployed in several sensitive areas on Hanuman Jayanti following judicial intervention.
Taking a dig at the holiday declaration, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Shamik Bhattacharya said, “Everyone can understand why this announcement was made before the election. People are not that stupid.”
The party’s Amit Malviya took to X and claimed that it was Mamata’s attempt to shed her “anti-Hindu image”. He posted: “Mamata Banerjee, who would turn blue with rage, every time she heard ‘Jai Shree Ram’, has designated Ram Navami (17th Apr) as public holiday, in West Bengal. She has done this to redeem her anti-Hindu image. Too late though… More importantly, she needs to ensure no stones are pelted on Ram Navami processions. Will she? Jai Shree Ram.”
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari believes the fast-changing ground situation in the state prompted the announcement. Taking to X, he said, “On January 15, I highlighted how the List of Holidays in the Govt of WB Yearly Calendar didn’t mention any holiday on the auspicious occasion of Shree Ram Navami. Thereafter, the WB Govt didn’t find it appropriate to declare a public holiday on January 22 for the historic Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony in Ayodhya. Mamata Banerjee even went on to hold a ‘so called all faith rally’ to counter the Holy Pran Pratistha Ceremony.”
“On several occasions either she or her party leaders have uttered disrespectful words regarding Lord Ram. The latest blunder happened when the foul mouthed Tarakeswar MLA labeled the Ram Temple as an ‘unholy site’. As usual Mamata Banerjee kept quiet and didn’t find it necessary to condemn the disgraceful statement. However, with the fast changing ground situation in WB she has now realised that the Ram Bhakts are extremely disappointed with her,” he asserted.
The TMC, meanwhile, accused the BJP of making the comments due to its nature of indulging in “divisive politics”. Trinamool MP Santanu Sen counter-attacked the saffron party for turning it into a political issue. “The TMC government respects all religions, castes and creeds. We celebrate everything here peacefully. Bengal gives a two-day holiday for Chhath puja which you won’t see in any other BJP-ruled state, so I don’t find anything new in this,” Sen said.
Another TMC leader said, “In Bengal, the state government gives holidays on various occasions, including Harichand of the Matua Mahasangha – Guru Chand Tagore’s birthday. Adivasis also have a holiday for Karam Puja. This time, Ram Navami was added to it. It has nothing to do with voting.”