The BJP on Sunday alleged that devotees participating in a Ram Navami procession in Kolkata were attacked and their vehicles vandalised. The party targetted ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the incident, calling it a targetted violence.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Hindu devotees were “savagely attacked” in Kolkata’s Park Circus Seven Point area as the Ram Navami procession was returning. “Stones rained down on vehicles just for carrying saffron flags. Windshields shattered. Chaos unleashed. This wasn’t random — it was targeted violence. And where was the police? Right there. Watching. Silent. Spineless,” he alleged.
The West Bengal BJP, which shared a purported video of the alleged incident, also claimed that no action was taken despite a heavy police presence. “Mamata Banerjee’s long-standing wish seems to have come true. In the heart of Kolkata — at Park Circus — vehicles belonging to Ram Navami devotees were attacked and vandalised during a religious procession. Despite a heavy police presence, no action was taken,” the party tweeted.
Responding to the vandalism allegations, Kolkata Police stated that no permission had been granted for any rally in the area and clarified that no Ram Navami procession took place there. The police urged the public not to pay attention to any rumours.
“With reference to an alleged incident at Park Circus, it is clarified that no permission was taken for any procession, nor did any such movement occur in the area. Upon receiving information about damage to a vehicle, police intervened promptly to restore order. A case is being registered to investigate the matter. Public is advised not to heed any rumours,” Kolkata Police tweeted.