Ram Navami Violence: BJP Leader Files PIL for NIA Probe into Violence During Celebrations in West Bengal

Ram Navami

On Friday, the leader of opposition in the West Bengal legislative assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Suvendu Adhikari, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Calcutta high court seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the Ram Navami violence that took place during celebrations in Howrah, West Bengal. Adhikari also requested immediate deployment of Central Forces in the violence-affected areas to contain the situation and restore law and order, as well as to save innocent lives. The Acting Justice of the Calcutta high court granted leave to file the PIL and directed the same to appear at the top of the list on Monday, April 3.

Adhikari, who visited the injured in the hospital, alleged that the West Bengal Police acted as a mute spectator when houses were vandalized during the violence. He criticized the police for not doing their job and accused them of being silent spectators while all the houses of Hindus were vandalized. Adhikari planned to meet the Commissioner of Police (CP) and bring a CD of yesterday’s incidents with him, despite being refused an appointment due to the chief minister’s directions.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose and took stock of the situation in Howrah where violence broke out. He also called West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar and enquired about the law and order situation in the state. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee, who also spoke out against the violence, said that the lives of Hindus in the state are under threat. She accused chief minister Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics and demanded her resignation.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur also condemned the violence in West Bengal, saying that during Mamata Banerjee’s rule, journalists were attacked, and stone pelting was done during Ram Navami processions. He called it shameful that journalists are becoming victims of violence and the state government remains a mute spectator. The situation turned violent in Shibpur area of Howrah on Friday, with fresh violence breaking out a day after arson on ‘Ram Navami.’

Several vehicles were set on fire on Thursday after two groups clashed in Howrah amid Ram Navami celebrations. Rioters vandalized public and private properties and set vehicles on fire during the procession. On Thursday, West Bengal Police conducted a flag march in Howrah where violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession.

In summary, the BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari filed a PIL seeking an NIA probe and immediate deployment of Central Forces to contain the situation and restore law and order in the violence-affected areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Anurag Thakur condemned the violence in West Bengal, while BJP MP Locket Chatterjee accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics and demanded her resignation. The situation turned violent in Shibpur area of Howrah on Friday, with fresh violence breaking out a day after arson on ‘Ram Navami.’