Angry Protesters Block Adhir Ranjan, CM Mamata Blamed for Clashes: Ram Navami Political Heat Rises Day Before Voting – News18

Hours after the alleged Ram Navami clash in Murshidabad, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury met with protests as he went to a hospital to meet the injured. The Bharatiya Janata Party supporters allegedly gheraoed the Berhampore MP and started sloganeering. A clash between BJP and Congress workers was also reported later.

“I came to see those who were injured in the clash. But the BJP workers began protesting at the hospital, saying Hindus are under attack and I should answer why,” Chowdhury said, adding that he will not allow riots in Murshidabad.

“Riots are being triggered as a part of well-defined plan. And this BJP protest proves it. I have spoken to the Election Commission,” he further said.

Several people were injured after a blast occurred during a rally, which was being carried out in Saktipur area of the Murshidabad district in West Bengal on the occasion of Ram Navami on Tuesday.

According to a report in India Today, videos from the area showed people throwing stones at the procession from their rooftops. Later, prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in the area.

The police had to resort to lathi-charge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob, the report stated. The police said the situation had been brought under control and additional forces were rushed to the area.

Suvendu Adhikari Blames CM Mamata for Ram Navami Clashes

West Bengal’s leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, meanwhile, blamed Mamata Banerjee for the clashes during Wednesday’s Ram Navami processions. He sought a probe by National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the violence.

“The Ram Navami Processions were disrupted and attacked at various places across the State of West Bengal, due to the CM’s provocative speech which successfully incited miscreants, who were assured that the Law enforcement Agency won’t act against them as their hands have been tied due to CM’s public stance on Ram Navami; a day, which according to her, “Is a day for Rioting”,” Adhikari posted on X.

The BJP leader’s remark is in reference to a controversial statement made by the Bengal chief minister at a rally in Bengal. “If you see them (BJP) sloganeering on (April) 17, it is their (BJP’s) day of riot,” Banerjee said.