Jai Shri Ram Chanting Row: Dilip Ghosh Questions Amartya Sen's Knowledge of Bengali and Indian Culture
West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh questioned Amartya Sen's knowledge on Bengali and Indian Culture, after Nobel Laureate speaks on chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'.
Kolkata, July 6: A day after Nobel laureate Amartya Sen said the slogan, 'Jai Shri Ram', is being used 'to beat up people' across the country, West Bengal BJP president on Saturday claimed that ‘Jai Shri Ram slogan has no association with Bengali culture’. Ghosh also questioned Amartya Sen's knowledge on Bengali or Indian culture.
Attacking the globally known Nobel and Bharat Ratna awardee on his cultural knowledge, the BJP state president said, "Amartya Sen probably doesn’t know Bengal. Does he know about Bengali or Indian culture? Jai Shri Ram is chanted in a very village. Now entire Bengal says it." Intellectuals Are Cowards & Opportunists: Bengal BJP Chief
Earlier on Friday, while addressing students at Jadavpur University, Sen had claimed, as reported by NDTV, "I have not heard Jai Shri Ram before (in this way). It is now used to beat up people. I think it has no association with Bengali culture."
The Nobel laureate added, "I had never heard of Ram Navami before. I asked my four-year-old grandchild who is your favourite deity? She replied, 'Maa Durga'. The significance of Maa Durga cannot be compared with Ram Navami. If people of a certain religion are scared to move freely or are fear-bound, it is a serious matter."
The row over chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' began in the state before Lok Sabha Elections 2019 and gained momentum during the polls. As the politics over the became a heated debate, things worsened in West Bengal, with incidences of murders of political leaders came into light.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 06, 2019 12:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).