As Ram Navami approaches this Sunday, political tensions are mounting in West Bengal with both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) planning large-scale celebrations.
While the BJP has announced an elaborate observance of the festival, the TMC has accused the saffron party of stirring unrest through identity politics and a Hindutva narrative.
In light of the heightened political climate, Kolkata Police is bolstering security arrangements across the city.
According to senior police sources, approximately 3,500 to 4,000 personnel will be deployed in the state capital alone, where around 60 processions are expected to take place.
Additionally, 29 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers have been assigned to special duty across the state, beginning Saturday and continuing through Monday.
Senior officers—including Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Assistant Commissioners (ACs), Joint Commissioners of Police (Joint CPs), and Officers-in-Charge (OCs)—will be strategically stationed at key locations in Kolkata such as Hastings, Entally, and Kashipur, where major processions are anticipated.
Security arrangements include police picketing along all procession routes, aerial surveillance with drones, extensive CCTV coverage, and videography.
Both the BJP and several Hindutva-affiliated organisations have announced processions to mark the occasion.
In a notable development, the TMC too has revealed plans to participate in Ram Navami processions—not only in Kolkata but also in areas with sizeable Hindi-speaking populations such as Asansol, Siliguri, and Jalpaiguri.
In Jalpaiguri, TMC councillors have reportedly been going door-to-door distributing leaflets to encourage participation.
Also read: Calcutta HC sets strict rules for Ram Navami processions
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma has issued a stern warning against the public display of weapons during the celebrations, stressing that legal action will be taken if such incidents occur.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that processions may be held “according to the system.”
Drawing a comparison with Sikh customs, she said, “Punjabis also carry kirpans. You can definitely do it according to the system.”
Also serving as the state's police minister, she added, “Many of us also take out processions on Ram Navami. I have no objection to that. We want it to be peaceful.”
The Kolkata Police’s Quick Response Team (QRT) will remain on high alert throughout the day. Motorcycle patrols and enhanced coordination among officers have been put in place to swiftly respond to any disturbances.
Verma is also slated to hold a high-level meeting with senior officers at Lalbazar on Saturday afternoon to finalise security arrangements.
Last year, nearly 60 Ram Navami processions were held in Kolkata alone, and this year’s turnout is expected to be similar.
Special police duty has also been assigned in districts such as Howrah, Hooghly, Barrackpore, Malda, Murshidabad, and Siliguri sub-division.
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