“No public display of weapons during processions will be allowed. Some traditional groups and akharas have been given permission (to take out processions). Every procession will be videographed. If anyone is found breaking rules or trying to create law and order problems, they will not be spared,” said a senior police official, adding that police stations were closely monitoring social media platforms.
As per sources, the district administration in Hooghly, Howrah, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, Asansol and Barrackpore — districts which have experienced communal tensions in the past during Ram Navami — have also been alerted. Sources also said that there are many political leaders who will take part in these processions and are also likely to take out rallies on Ram Navami as well.
The Hindu Jagaran Manch is scheduled to take out 5,000 religious processions at ward/panchayat-level in all districts of the state. The organisation said it’s planning to organise big processions in Barasat, Siliguri and Kolkata’s Burrabazar.
“Some of our processions are likely to draw lakhs of people. It’s a big day for us. As far as maintaining law and order is concerned, the police should take care (of it). I would like to appeal that people from all faiths be allowed to celebrate their festivals and beliefs. Other groups shouldn’t create hindrances in that,” said Subhajit Roy, a member of Hindu Jagran Manch.
On Monday, the Calcutta High Court had granted permission to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Anjani Putra Sena to take out Ram Navami processions in West Bengal’s Howrah district.
While the VHP would be taking out a religious procession on Wednesday, the Anjani Putra Sena will organise one on April 21.
Meanwhile, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday hit out at the BJP for trying to “use religion” for “political benefits”.
Speaking at a programme in Alipurduar district, the Diamond Harbour MP said, “Tomorrow it’s Ram Navami, I extend my greetings to everyone. While coming here, I saw people selling flags for Ram Navami and those who were selling them were also showering blessings on AITC. This proves that people are with AITC. The BJP wants to use Lord Ram and religion for its political benefits while we want people’s support based on the work we do (for them) day and night. This is the difference between AITC and BJP. Those who use religion as a shield are politically bankrupt.”
He urged the public to give a ‘befitting reply’ to the BJP and “teach it a lesson for its deceit”.
Last year, violence was reported in Hooghly’s Rishra area and in Howrah on Hanuman Jayanti, following which central forces were deployed in several areas. On March 30 last year, violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Dalkhola area in Uttar Dinajpur. A case was registered against 162 people.