While the nation is marking celebrations of Ram Navami, an attack on a Ramanavami Shobha Yatra has been reported from West Bengal’s Rejinagar in Murshidabad district. As per reports, the procession that started from Shaktipur School came under attack a few hours ago when miscreants started stone pelting which led to a tense situation in the region.
Not just stones, even bombs were hurled at the procession, injuring several devotees.
“At least 20 people have been injured in the incident. A woman who was severely injured has been admitted in the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. The rest are getting treated in local hospitals,” a police officer was quoted by Indian Express.
Stones were reportedly hurled at the Shobha Yatra from the roof of a house.
Following the incident, CAPF and police personnel were rushed to the spot and the authorities maintain that they have brought the situation under control.
#BreakingNews | Stone pelting reported during Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal's Murshidabad@KamalikaSengupt shares more details#TheHardFacts | @RShivshankar pic.twitter.com/PfW4EibKe8
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 17, 2024
Sharing a video of the attack on the Ramanavami procession in Rejinagar, BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government for failing to protect the Shobha Yatra.
Taking to X, he wrote, “Mamata Banerjee is a blot on West Bengal. She, once again, failed to protect Ramanavami Shobha Yatras. Hindu devotees targeted in Rejinagar, Murshidabad. Hindus are a minority in this area. Just pointing it out, so that she doesn’t blame the Hindus for the attack on themselves..”
Mamata Banerjee is a blot on West Bengal. She, once again, failed to protect Ramanavami Shobha Yatras. Hindu devotees targeted in Rejinagar, Murshidabad. Hindus are a minority in this area. Just pointing it out, so that she doesn’t blame the Hindus for the attack on themselves… pic.twitter.com/pzvJt0aZ4x
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 17, 2024
In another tweet, he blamed TMC Supremo’s provocative speeches for the recent attack on Ramnavami processions in Murshidabad. He also demanded the Election Commission of India to take notice of the ‘targeted violence’ against Hindus.
He stated, “Mamata Banerjee’s provocative communal speeches are responsible for the attack on the Ramnavami Shobha Yatra in Rejinagar, Murshidabad. High time @ECISVEEP took note of Bengal Chief Minister’s irresponsible utterances, which are leading to targeted violence against the Hindus.”
Mamata Banerjee’s provocative communal speeches are responsible for the attack on the Ramnavami Shobha Yatra in Rejinagar, Murshidabad.
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 17, 2024
High time @ECISVEEP took note of Bengal Chief Minister’s irresponsible utterances, which are leading to targeted violence against the Hindus.
Several X users have also shared videos of the Murshidabad incident. In these viral videos, miscreants can be seen pelting stones from rooftops at passersby and the Hindu religious procession.
Massive Stone Pelting at Ram Navami Shobha Yatra at Rejinagar West Bengal. CM appealed in morning to maintain peace, but her appeal went in vain and her police miserably failed to save RAMNAVAMI shobha yatra this year too. pic.twitter.com/vdj1G2uYKa
— Arpita Chatterjee ( Modi Ka Parivar) (@asliarpita) April 17, 2024
Ram Navami procession is attacked in Rejinagar, Murshidabad.
— Subham. (@subhsays) April 17, 2024
When a hindu brother was capturing the video ; a WB police came and abused him (you can hear that in this video )
If this is the language of a PUBLIC SERVANT during emergency how can AAM AADMI trust them ? pic.twitter.com/5g9vuCZ3zG
Notably, Murshidabad has emerged as a major place for crude bomb-making ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Police have recovered such bombs in several places in the area. Yesterday, bombs hidden behind a wood mill in Rejinagar exploded due to intense heat, causing panic among people.
Earlier in the day, the Hindu Jagran Manch announced that it would take out 5,000 processions in West Bengal at ward or panchayat level in all the districts. The outfit, which is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has also scheduled grand rallies in Barasat, Siliguri, and Kolkata’s Burrabazar.
Reports say that in Kolkata alone around 5000 police personnel have been deployed are nearly 60 Ram Navami processions are likely to be taken out. The Howrah Police have deployed drones to monitor sensitive areas in Kolkata and Howrah. Police will also video-record processions. Police in Howrah and West Midnapore have instructed liquor shops and bars to close.
Notably, incidents of violence were reported in Howrah on the 30th of March of last year and extended to two other districts, North Dinajpur and Hooghly. Ten people were injured during the clashes.
As reported earlier, the Calcutta High Court on Monday (15th April) granted permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Anjani Putra Sena to hold Ram Navami processions in Howrah on 17th April, subject to certain conditions. The state authorities sought to stop the procession and proposed an alternate route.
It is pertinent to note that tensions were high after TMC Supremo and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had alleged that there could be rioting on 17th April in the state when Hindus were slated to mark celebrations of Ram Navami. So far, the incidents of violence against Ram Navami processions have reportedly come down this year.
