bengal-govt-says-no-to-ram-navami-processions-in-state

With Ram Navami approaching on April 6, the West Bengal government decided that no new procession will b permitted this year.

 

In a high-level meeting, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant directed District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to take preventive measures, making it clear that no new processions will be permitted this year. Every police station across the state has been instructed to remain on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents before, during, or after the celebrations.

 

State administration has ramped up security measures to prevent any unrest, following violence in previous years on this occasion.

 

Ram Navami, a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ram, has become a politically charged event in West Bengal in recent years. The festival has witnessed processions turning violent, leading to clashes and widespread disturbances in multiple districts. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has probed past incidents and several arrests have been made in connection with the violence.

 

Meanwhile, opposition leader Shuvendu Adhikari has issued a strong warning to the administration. He claimed that several lakhs of devotees would gather in the state on Ram Navami and cautioned authorities against obstructing their events. Adhikari's remarks have further intensified the political tension surrounding the festival.

 

With the state assembly elections just a year away, political observers believe the BJP is keen on leveraging Hindutva sentiments to strengthen its foothold in Bengal. Given past instances where Ram Navami processions have turned into flashpoints of communal unrest, the ruling Trinamool Congress is determined to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

 

The administration’s efforts to maintain law and order are being closely watched, as both political parties prepare for a high-stakes electoral battle. Whether Ram Navami will remain a religious occasion or turn into a political battleground remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on April 6 and the measures put in place to maintain peace across the state.