After Ram Navami Violence, Calcutta HC Orders Bengal Govt To Seek Central Forces For Hanuman Jayanti Processions

Days after clashes between two groups in Bengal resulted in violence and arson on Ram Navami, the Calcutta high court directed on Wednesday that central forces be deployed in the state for Hanuman Jayanti processions if necessary.

The court also stated that no Hanuman Jayanti processions would be held in regions where Section 144 is in effect.

The government headed by Mamata Banerjee submitted a report on the recent violence in Shibpur and Rishra. The court has asked the state government what measures it has taken to ensure peace and tranquillity in the state in light of Hanuman Jayanti, which is coming up soon.

After a spate of violence was reported during Ram Navami processions in Bengal’s Howrah and Hooghly districts, the court directed the police to perform route marches to instill confidence. Furthermore, political leaders have been instructed not to make any statements on Hanuman Jayanti.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya stated, “Calcutta HC tells WB Govt that it can request deployment of paramilitary forces for confidence building, to ensure peace and tranquillity in view of the upcoming Hanuman Jayanti. It also requests ‘all’ to refrain from making partisan remarks. This is such an indictment of Mamata’s government.”

Prohibitory orders were issued and the Internet was stopped in West Bengal’s Hooghly district on Sunday evening after two groups clashed during a Ram Navami procession. On Sunday, new violence and burning broke out during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Ram Navami Shobha Yatra in Rishra, West Bengal’s Hooghly district. Stone-throwing has also been recorded.

Biman Ghosh, a BJP MLA who was at the gathering, was injured when stones were thrown and people clashed in Rishra. The incident in Bengal’s Rishra town occurred just days after a flare-up in nearby Howrah, where authorities were still working to restore peace and normalcy.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Bengal Assembly Leader Suvendu Adhikari. The BJP official had moved the court for an investigation by the NIA and CBI into the incidents of violence that occurred in the state during the Ram Navami procession.

During the celebrations on March 30, two groups clashed. According to police, several vehicles were set on fire and shops in the neighbourhood were ransacked. In connection with the violence in Howrah, over 30 individuals were arrested.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given a Hanuman Jayanti advisory to all states. “Governments are encouraged to ensure the maintenance of law and order, peaceful observance of the festival, and monitoring of any factors that may disrupt communal harmony in society,” MHA stated.