In a significant move ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government declared Ram Navami, a public holiday. The notification about the same was issued on Saturday.
“In continuation to this Department Notification No. 6112-F(P2) dated 09/11/2023, the Governor is pleased to declare 17th April 2024 (Wednesday) as a Public Holiday on the occasion of ‘Ram Navami’ under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881,” a notification issued by the Bengal Finance Department stated.
The announcement holds great significance as the eastern state has over the years witnessed several instances of violence during Ram Navami celebrations. On the other hand, Durga Puja and Kali Puja always remained important public holidays in West Bengal.
The Trinamool Congress government’s announcement triggered a series of reactions from its prime rival in the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as it comes just days ahead when Mamata’s party is set to begin its campaign for the General Elections.
Calling the announcement an attempt to redeem her anti-Hindu image ahead of the polls, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said it was too late for someone who would turn blue just by the chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ He also asked if she would ensure the safety of all the devotees on the occasion.
Notably, massive violence took place last year in Bengal during a procession to celebrate Ram Navami in Dalkhola in Uttar Dinajpur.
“Mamata Banerjee, who would turn blue with rage, every time she heard ‘Jai Shree Ram’, has designated Ram Navami (17th Apr) as a public holiday, in West Bengal. She has done this to redeem her anti-Hindu image. Too late though… More importantly, she needs to ensure no stones are pelted on Ram Navami processions. Will she?” wrote Malviya on X, formerly Twitter.
Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the announcement adding “Cats don’t climb trees unless pushed.”
“Time is changing! This is the first time that the state government has declared a holiday in honour of the revered Purushottam Sri Ramachandra on the Navami Tithi of Shuklapaksha of Chaitra month. I had criticized the state government for not giving a holiday on Ram Navami in January, today the state government was forced to declare a holiday,” he wrote on social media.
Earlier this year, a massive political row erupted between the TMC and the BJP after the state government released the list of public holidays to be observed in West Bengal.
Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of “appeasement politics”, Suvendu Adhikari time and again questioned why there were no holidays in some of the most prominent Hindu festivals like Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami.
The BJP leader targeted the TMC for declaring a holiday for ‘Shab-e-Barat’ but not for Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami.
