Kolkata:

Ram Navami on April 18 this year has been declared a public holiday in West Bengal. The BJP said the move was “too late” and that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wanted to “salvage her anti-Hindu image”.

West Bengal’s major festivals Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Saraswati Puja have become public holidays in the state, with the latest addition being Ramna Ram Navami. The state has witnessed violence during Ram Navami marches in the past few years, triggering a political blame game.

The move comes ahead of the announcement of national elections, which are expected to be a direct contest between the BJP and Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal.

Bharatiya Janata Party IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared the Bengal government’s notification declaring Ram Navami a public holiday, claiming that chanting “Jai Shree Ram” had angered Ms. Banerjee.

“Mamata Banerjee, who turns blue with rage every time she hears ‘Jai Shree Ram’, has declared Ram Navami (April 17) as a public holiday in West Bengal. She This was done to redeem his anti-Hindu image. But it was too late,” Mr. Malviya quipped.

He added: “More importantly, she needs to ensure that no one throws stones at the Ram Navami procession. Will she?”

Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and leader of the opposition in Bengal’s parliament, said Ms Banerjee was forced to take the step due to “changes in circumstances” in the state.

“With the rapidly changing situation in WA, she now realizes that the Ram Bhakt family is very disappointed in her. Therefore, to save face, she feels the need to declare a holiday on Wednesday 17 April 2024 when Shri Ra Shree Ram Navami will be celebrated,” he said.

The Trinamool is yet to respond to the BJP leader’s remarks.

Regarding the clashes during Ram Navami last year, Ms Banerjee accused “outsiders” of trying to disrupt harmony in the state. She defended police action during the rally and questioned why people brought bulldozers to religious processions, carried weapons and danced with guns.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched an attack on the Sandesh Khali incident, which saw the arrest of a strongman, former Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan, last week. Shahjahan faces multiple charges of sexual assault and land encroachment in his island village in North 24 Paraganas district.

Suvendu Adhikari will address a meeting in Sandeshkhali today while the Trinamool prepares to hold a massive rally at Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade Ground. Ms Banerjee may also announce the Trinamool candidate at the rally, sources said.