BJP Blames Mamata for Bengal's Ram Navami Clashes, Seeks NIA Probe

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari blamed Mamata Banerjee's provocative speech for inciting miscreants behind Ram Navami clashes in Bengal, seeking an NIA probe and EC action against her.

The leader of the opposition in West Bengal – Suvendu Adhikari – has directly blamed Mamata Banerjee, the state’s chief minister, for the violence that occurred during Ram Navami processions in some parts of the state on Wednesday that resulted in the injury of at least four people in Murshidabad district.

Adhikari, who was a very close aide of Banerjee but had now been with the BJP since 2020 in his speech, accused the chief minister of delivering a provocative statement that ensured the miscreants that they would not be dealt with by law enforcement agencies.

"Resultantly, Ram Navami processions were stopped and attacked in various parts of the state by people who were incited by the CM's speech. She assured the miscreants that law enforcement agencies were not going to act against them because their hands were tied by the CM's public stance on Ram Navami, which, according to her, was one of the days for rioting," said Adhikari in a post on X.

He was alleging Banerjee for her own controversial uttering at a recent rally where she declared that if the BJP conducted processions while shouting slogans, they would be responsible for rioting on Ram Navami day.

Adhikari alleged in the letter that he had informed the Governor of the state about the "failing law and order situation" and asked for an NIA investigation into Ram Navami's clashes. He demanded that the Election Commission take steps against her, too.

Also Read: Violence In West Bengal On Ram Navami, Smriti Irani Says That CM Mamta Banerjee Did Not Take Any Action

The BJP has accused the ruling TMC party in Murshidabad, where people from rooftops of a school allegedly pelted stones on a Ram Navami procession, and four people got injured in the incident. Footage from the regions showed buildings burned and smoke rising.

"Bengal is fragmenting, and Mamata Banerjee is behind it. She made derogatory and communal utters, which are the cause of Ram Bhakts to be attacked all over Bengal," said Amit Malviya, IT cell chief of BJP.

The TMC has yet to reply. Wednesday, Ram Navami saw a few sporadic incidents of violence from other districts as well.