Kolkata, Dec 26 (PTI) The Trinamool Congress, displeased with alleged remarks by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar in opposition to Swami Vivekananda, organised a protest rally right here on Tuesday, demanding an instantaneous apology from Majumdar and Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah, at present within the metropolis for organisational conferences.
A video surfaced on Sunday night the place Majumdar was heard saying, “Bengal was the cradle of the Bhakti motion and it had embraced the ‘Sanatan dharma’ for ages however received derailed for a while because of the Leftists. Those that prioritise soccer over Gita are all Leftist merchandise, proving a bit of studying is a harmful factor. Bengal will now comply with the appropriate path, ranging from in the present day (the day of Gita studying on December 24).” PTI couldn’t independently confirm the authenticity of the video clip.
In a one-of-its-kind gathering on the Brigade Parade Grounds right here on Sunday, practically 1 lakh folks from numerous backgrounds collectively chanted sacred verses from the Bhagavad Gita.
On Monday, Majumdar stated his feedback on soccer and the Gita had been misconstrued by the ruling TMC to unfold falsehoods and divert consideration from its alleged failure to forestall a leaked TET query paper the day prior to this.
Majumdar advised reporters, “I didn’t point out Swami Vivekananda. How can I? When you take heed to my feedback within the video, you will note I referred to the Leftists of in the present day. TMC is attempting to play politics and mislead folks. TMC ought to chorus from educating us and as an alternative educate themselves concerning the teachings of Swamiji.” Regardless of Majumdar’s clarification, the TMC remained agency in its stance, insisting on an instantaneous apology from each Majumdar and Shah.
TMC minister Sashi Panja stated, “We all know that the BJP and its leaders have the least regard for legends and famend personalities from Bengal. Now we have seen how the statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was vandalised by BJP goons in the course of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, in a rally led by Amit Shah. We demand an instantaneous apology from Majumdar and Shah.” On Tuesday, the TMC youth wing organised a rally in north Kolkata, concluding on the ancestral residence of Swami Vivekananda on Simla Road.
The activists, carrying posters and placards, vociferously shouted slogans in opposition to the BJP.
This incident evokes recollections of state politics being influenced by Bengali sub-nationalism from 2019-2021, simply earlier than the meeting polls. Numerous outfits, together with Bangla Pokkho, have accused the saffron camp of making an attempt to “impose Hindi and north Indian tradition” on Bengal.
The “insider-outsider” debate in West Bengal gained momentum earlier than the 2021 state election, with the ruling TMC embracing Bengali sub-nationalism to counter the BJP’s Hindutva narrative. The TMC branded the BJP as a “celebration of outsiders,” utilizing the ballot slogan “Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chai” (Bengal desires its personal daughter) and emphasizing sub-nationalism in its narrative.
Led by Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress secured a 3rd consecutive time period in energy, bagging 213 seats, whereas the BJP, regardless of an intense marketing campaign, managed solely 77.
(This report has been printed as a part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Aside from the headline, no modifying has been finished within the copy by ABP Dwell.)