Clashes took place between members of two communities during Ram Navami rallies in West Bengal’s Howrah. Videos from the spot showed stone pelting and vehicles being set afire.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 30, 2023 19:49 IST
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (File)
By India Today News Desk: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned of action against those who are “into riots and conspiracy” after Ram Navami rallies in Howrah turned violent on Thursday.
“Those who are into riots or attack, we will not listen to any excuse. I will ask the police to take action against those who allowed them to enter the area and those who are into riots and conspiracy,” Mamata Banerjee said.
“Who gave you the authority and permission to take swords to your processions? I heard in Howrah they have used bulldozers in rally. What audacity! Why did you change the route? To harm a community deliberately? In peoples’ court, nothing will stand. No wrong or conspiracy will stand,” she added.
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A Ram Navami rally in West Bengal’s Howrah district on Thursday saw youths from Swami Vivekananda Seva Sangh brandishing swords and hockey sticks. The rally was taken out in Howrah’s Sankrail district where several people were carrying armed weapons during the Ram Navami procession.
A heavy police force was deployed to prevent any untoward incident. The people clashed with the police and several vehicles were torched.
In a similar incident, vehicles were torched in Shibpur as well during a Ram Navami procession.
Mamata Banerjee said she had cautioned the right-wing outfits about taking out processions through Muslim-dominated areas. “I have said it earlier that violence may occur if you take out the Ram Navami rally. This is the time when Muslims observe Ramzan and cannot be involved in any wrongdoing. I heard that there was a riot in Howrah,” the chief minister said, using the word ‘danga (riot)’ in her speech several times.
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“No one stopped you from taking out a rally. I have heard that they have done something in Howrah. I will give them a befitting reply. Willingly they are depriving one community. Every one keep your eyes open. No one will be arrested if he has not done anything wrong. I will not allow bulldozers. Whoever is rioting today, listen carefully. I will not spare who ever commits the crime. Howrah, Park Circus and Islampur are their targets,” she added.
BJP BLAMES MAMATA GOVT
Reacting to the violence and arson in Bengal, the IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, tweeted: “In brazen disregard for Hindu sentiments, Mamata Banerjee held dharna on Ramanavami, then warned Hindus about avoiding Muslim areas because it was Ramzan, forgetting that Hindus too were fasting for Navratr. As Home Minister of WB she is directly responsible for Howrah violence.”
Leader of Opposition in Bengal assembly Suvendhu adhikari said: “One incident happened last year as well in the same place today’s incident happened I do not blame any one particular community for that. This is the failure of the state administration and the law and order situation in the state. A huge number of rallies were held today.”
(Inputs by Baidyanath Jha, Anirban Sinha)
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