Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A major Hindu religious festival in West Bengal has become the latest political battleground, igniting a fierce war of words between the state's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The dispute centers on the alleged selection of Muslim vendors to distribute prasad—blessed food offerings—at the upcoming Jagannath Rath Yatra organized by ISKCON in Kolkata.
Leading the charge for the BJP, West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, condemned the decision as an act of "appeasement politics" by the TMC government. In a fiery statement, Adhikari accused the TMC of deliberately hurting the sentiments of Hindus by involving non-Hindus in a sacred ritual. He questioned the motives behind the selection, framing it as a "shameless" attempt by the ruling party to favor a specific community for political gain, thereby insulting the sanctity of the festival.
The Trinamool Congress fired back swiftly, accusing the BJP of intentionally trying to create communal division. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh blasted Adhikari's comments as a "dirty, divisive, and condemnable" attempt to "pollute the holy environment" of the Rath Yatra. Ghosh argued that the festival is a symbol of unity, with people from all communities participating. He pointed out that Muslim artisans have traditionally helped build the very chariots used in the procession for years without any issue.
Ghosh further challenged the BJP's logic, asking if the party also checks the religion of vendors who provide lights, microphones, and other services for their own events. He asserted that the BJP's only goal is to inject "the poison of communalism" into society for electoral advantage.
This clash is more than just a dispute over vendors; it reflects the deep-seated political and ideological rivalry between the two parties in West Bengal. The BJP's platform often focuses on Hindu cultural nationalism, while the TMC champions a narrative of regional identity and secular inclusiveness. As the Rath Yatra approaches, this incident highlights how even revered religious traditions can become flashpoints in India's charged political landscape.
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