VHP Seeks Calcutta HC Approval for Ram Navami Procession in Bankura
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Synopsis
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) seeks approval from the Calcutta High Court for a Ram Navami procession in Bankura on April 6. The petition has been accepted, and hearings are set for Thursday amidst police restrictions and political tensions surrounding the event.
Key Takeaways
- VHP petitions Calcutta High Court for procession.
- Procession scheduled in Saltora, Bankura.
- Police denies permission due to scheduling conflicts.
- No weapons allowed in Ram Navami processions.
- Political tensions escalate with conflicting statements.
Kolkata, April 2 (NationPress) The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has approached a single-judge bench at the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, requesting authorization to hold a procession in Saltora, located in the tribal-centric Bankura district, on the occasion of Ram Navami scheduled for April 6.
Previously, the district police had granted permission for the procession. The single-judge bench presided over by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh has accepted the petition, with the hearing set for Thursday.
The VHP claims that the district police have denied them permission, citing that other processions are planned in the same area on April 6.
On Thursday, simultaneous hearings will take place regarding the police's denial of permits for two similar Ram Navami processions. The state police have already advised that participants in the Ram Navami processions will not be allowed to carry any weapons.
In the meantime, the West Bengal unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has asserted that the processions will follow administrative guidelines, negating any concerns about violations.
A political controversy has also erupted in the state on Wednesday, triggered by a provocative statement from Trinamool Congress legislator Madan Mitra.
Mitra warned that anyone attempting to incite unrest regarding the Ram Navami festival would face severe repercussions. He stated, "If you tarnish a significant occasion, you cannot expect to return home unscathed. I urge you not to exploit the day of Ram Navami to assert your dominance."
In response to Mitra's remarks, former BJP Lok Sabha member Dilip Ghosh retorted that the Trinamool Congress leader should first learn to respect himself before issuing challenges. "I will also see who can compel me to stay home," Ghosh asserted.
Recently, the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, declared that this year, at least 2,000 rallies—both large and small—will be organized for Ram Navami.
He further stated that participation in the Ram Navami rallies this year is expected to double compared to the previous year.
"This year’s Ram Navami celebrations will be grand. I will be on the streets that day. Last year, approximately 50 lakh Hindus participated in 1,000 rallies. This year, we anticipate 2,000 rallies with around one crore Hindus joining in," he stated.
