Kolkata Monks to Protest Against CM Mamata Banerjee's Comments

In a significant development from West Bengal, monks have announced plans for a rally in Kolkata on May 24. This move comes as a direct response to controversial remarks made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about certain monks from the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevasharam Sangha. The protest, dubbed the Sant Swabhiman Yatra, is set to take place in north Kolkata, orchestrated by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) alongside the Bangiya Sanyasi Samaj, which represents the apex body of monks in the state.

The rally aims not only to voice opposition against the Chief Minister's comments but also to denounce a recent attack on a Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Jalpaiguri. According to VHP leader Sourish Mukherjee, the Chief Minister's remarks are seen as a play for vote bank politics, which has sparked considerable outrage among the monastic community. "Monks of West Bengal will hold a protest rally against the comments," Mukherjee stated, highlighting the community's resolve.

Mamata Banerjee had accused some monks from these influential monastic orders of acting under the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) instructions during elections. This accusation drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of intimidating monks for political gains. Banerjee, however, defended her stance by clarifying that her criticism was aimed at specific individuals rather than the institutions themselves.

The situation escalated when unidentified individuals invaded the premises of the Ramakrishna Mission in Jalpaiguri, threatening monks and staff at gunpoint. An official from the mission suggested that the local land mafia might be behind this attack, hinting at an underlying property dispute. Following this incident, a complaint was lodged at Bhaktinagar police station against a local tough and his associates.

This series of events has led to heightened tensions in West Bengal, with religious and political undertones adding complexity to the situation. The upcoming rally in Kolkata is expected to draw significant attention as it encapsulates a broader conflict involving religious figures, political parties, and local governance issues.