West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday issued a stern warning to right wing organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and RSS against disturbing peace in the state during the upcoming Durga puja festival, asking them not to "play with fire".
Some people of the RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP-brand... If they think they can snatch away peace and hurt Bengal’s culture, then let me tell them clearly – don’t play with fire. You be good and celebrate the Puja well. Whoever it is, whether it’s you or I, Trinamool Congress, Congress, CPI-M, BJP... I will not spare anyone who orchestrates riots. Politics should be done with politics. Those who cannot do politics with politics, they go for CBI, ED, riots, conspiracy. This is their game planMamata Bannerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal
Her comments came a day after the VHP announced its decision to organise sashtra pujan (weapon worship) during Bijoya Dashami in the state, despite Banerjee's directive to police to prevent any such programme.
The Trinamool Congress supremo said any rally with weapons is illegal, and such rallies won’t be permitted.
"Any violation will be dealt with strongly," she cautioned.
Massive rallies were organised by RSS and its affiliates like Hindu Jagran Manch across the eastern state on 5 April in grandiose Ram Navami celebrations, which saw thousands of Hindu activists, including school children, walking on the road brandishing sticks and sharp weapons.
Banerjee reiterated that there would be no Durga puja immersions on Ashura or the 10th day of Muharram (1 October).
With Ashura slated to be observed a day after Dussehra or Bijoya Dashami (30 September), the administration had fixed 30 September, as also 2-4 October as the dates for immersion of the idols of Durga and her children.
Reviewing the 6 pm Dashami (30 September) immersion deadline that was earlier announced by Banerjee, the state government on Friday told the Calcutta High Court the cut-off was extended to 10 pm.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)