Mamata Banerjee Attacks BJP, Says They 'Carry Out Yatras to Kill People and Indulge in Danga Yatras'
The West Bengal CM commented days after Supreme Court denied an urgent hearing for BJP's 'Rath Yatra' in the state.
Kolkata, December 28: Days after the Supreme Court refused the Bharatiya Janata Party's plea for 'Rath Yatra' in West Bengal and set the date of hearing after January 2, 2019, state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday stated that her government allows ISKCON for 'Rath Yatras' as they don't carry out yatras to kill people.
Addressing a gathering in Kolkata, Banerjee accused BJP of being a political party who carry out yatras to kill people and indulge in danga yatras (violent rallies). Pointing her words directly at the BJP and other right-wing outfits, she said, "ISKCON does Rath Yatras, they carry out Jagannath Rath Yatra, they don't carry out yatras to kill ppl. Those who carry out yatras to kill people indulge in danga yatras. There are yatras for Lord Krishna & Lord Jagarnath; we take part in those rath yatras." BJP Rath Yatra in West Bengal: Supreme Court Refuses Urgent Plea, No Hearing Before Jan 2.
The controversial statement of the Chief Minister after the BJP reached apex court being denied permission for the 'Rath Yatras' in West Bengal by the divisional bench of Calcutta High Court last week. Chief Justice Debasish Kar Gupta had on previous week quashed the order of the court's single bench allowing the BJP to hold its yatra and it was halted. Though after that BJP appealed to the Supreme Court but of no use.
Earlier the West Bengal government had denied the permission for the Yatra, fearing Bulandshahr-like violence. Banerjee even sought the reports from districts, and they too agreed with CM on this. After analysing the fear, the state government had faxed their decision to the state BJP headquarters on December 15. This started the tussle between the TMC-led state government and BJP, who exchanged controversial comments on this.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2018 05:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).