Mamata Banerjee’s Remarks Against Hindu Monks Stir Controversy Amid West Bengal Elections
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd May 2024
As the Lok Sabha election campaign reaches its midpoint in West Bengal, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee has ignited a fresh controversy by criticizing Hindu monks who engage in politics. Her comments have intensified the already heated political atmosphere in the state.
Addressing a rally in Bankura district, Banerjee stated, “I do not consider sadhus (monks) who indulge in politics as sadhus,” specifically targeting monks from Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS), Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), and ISKCON. She singled out Kartick Maharaj of BSS, accusing him of inciting riots during the Ram Navami processions in Murshidabad last month. “If he wants to do BJP, he can, but he should do it wearing its badge,” Banerjee remarked, noting KartickMaharaj’s previous association with Congress leader AdhirRanjan Chowdhury and current alignment with the BJP.
Banerjee attempted to clarify her stance, asserting that she does not oppose any organization as a whole. “I am not against Ramakrishna Mission. Why should I be against an institution and show disrespect? Even I paid a visit to maharaj (former head of the mission) when he was ill. I have only talked about one or two people,” she explained. She also praised BSS for its philanthropic efforts.
The controversy escalated when Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Banerjee of trying to “appease her vote bank under pressure from Muslim fundamentalists.” He condemned her for allegedly threatening Hindu monks from a public platform. Modi claimed that following Banerjee’s remarks, an RKM ashram in Jalpaiguri district was attacked. “Bengal will not accept the insult on Ramakrishna Mission,” he declared, emphasizing the significance of RKM, BSS, and ISKCON to West Bengal’s spiritual heritage.
In response to Banerjee’s comments, KartickMaharaj, also known as Swami PradiptanandaMaharaj, sent a legal notice demanding an apology for her allegedly defamatory statements about BSS. Leader of the Opposition SuvenduAdhikari shared the legal notice on social media, commending the monks for their “courageous” stand against Banerjee’s “targeted attacks upon Sanatan Dharma.”
The timing of Banerjee’s remarks has fueled accusations of electoral polarization. The BJP has accused the TMC of relegating Hindus to second-class citizenship, while the TMC has faced scrutiny for communally charged statements that prompted intervention from the Election Commission of India. Additionally, a group of imams in West Bengal has issued a press statement urging people to vote for the TMC to counter the BJP.
Political analyst and psephologistBiswanath Chakraborty suggested that Banerjee’s comments could polarize Hindu voters. “Elections in semi-urban and urban areas are yet to be held, and these organizations have a large following among the Hindu population. The remarks by the Chief Minister are ill-timed. Moreover, it also exposes the double standards because she is silent on the letter of imams and is targeting monks who are associated with political activities,” Chakraborty said.
So far, voting has been completed in 25 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, and the remaining phases are expected to be equally contentious. The ongoing political drama reflects deeper socio-religious divides, highlighting the complex interplay between religion and politics in the region.
As the election progresses, both major parties continue to strategize and mobilize their bases, aware that every statement and action can have significant repercussions. The outcome of the remaining phases will determine not only the political landscape of West Bengal but also influence national politics, given the state’s critical role in the Lok Sabha.
