BJP claims Ram Navami rally attacked in Kolkata’s Park Circus, Police deny permission was sought
Kolkata: BJP MP and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday alleged that a Ram Navami rally was attacked in the Park Circus Seven Point area of Kolkata. In a post on social media platform X, Majumdar claimed that vehicles carrying saffron flags were pelted with stones, resulting in shattered windshields and damage, while accusing the police of inaction during the incident.
The Balurghat MP, who also serves as the BJP's West Bengal unit president, posted videos showing damaged vehicles and alleged that the violence was targeted. He criticised the police force, stating it remained silent during the episode and accused the state government of pursuing "appeasement politics."
In his post, Majumdar claimed that the alleged attack was a response to the growing show of unity among Bengali Hindus and promised a larger procession next year. He stated that the same police who "stood mute" this year would "shower flowers" on the rally in future.
Kolkata Police responded to the allegations on X, stating that no permission had been granted for any procession in the Park Circus area on the occasion of Ram Navami. The police clarified that no official rally had taken place in that location, and they intervened upon receiving reports of a damaged vehicle. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway, the police added, while advising the public not to pay attention to unverified claims or rumours.
BJP leader Tarunjyoti Tewari questioned the police's stance on permissions, referring to a recent gathering by members of the minority community in the same area. The protest was held against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed in Parliament last week.
Ram Navami celebrations saw over 2,000 rallies held across West Bengal, with participation from both BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders. The occasion, however, also became a flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.
Approximately 6,000 police personnel were deployed across the state, along with drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and quick response teams to maintain law and order.
As the Ram Navami procession returned, Hindu devotees were savagely attacked in Kolkata’s Park Circus Seven Point area. Stones rained down on vehicles just for carrying saffron flags. Windshields shattered. Chaos unleashed. This wasn’t random—it was targeted violence. And where… pic.twitter.com/Ed74Xbi2K6
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) April 6, 2025
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MP minister's veiled remark on Col Sofia Qureshi sparks major row; he apologises, Cong seeks ouster
Bhopal/Indore, May 13 (PTI): Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP leader Vijay Shah has sparked a major controversy with objectionable comments that appeared to be directed at Col Sofia Qureshi, whom he tried to project as a "sister of terrorists."
Under severe flak, Shah said if anyone is hurt by his statement, he is ready to apologise ten times, adding that he respects Colonel Qureshi more than his sister.
The Congress has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Shah from the Madhya Pradesh cabinet.
Colonel Qureshi had conducted regular press briefings, sharing details of the 'Operation Sindoor' launched by Indian armed forces to strike terrorists, joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
"Those people (terrorists) who had wiped out the sindoor (vermilion) of our sisters (in the Pahalgam terror attack)..We avenged these 'kate-pite' people by sending their sister to destroy them," Shah said.
"They (terrorists) killed our Hindu brothers by making them remove their clothes. PM Modi ji responded by sending their (terrorists') sister in an Army plane to strike them in their houses. They (terrorists) made our sisters widows, so Modiji sent the sister of their community to strip them and teach them a lesson", the BJP leader said while addressing a gathering in Ramkunda village near Indore.
He said, "Revenge was taken for the honour of our country (India), respect, and for the (slain) husbands of our sisters by sending a sister from your (terrorists') community to Pakistan".
The tribal welfare minister clarified that his remarks should not be construed otherwise.
Shah's remarks drew wide-scale condemnation, with Congress demanding his immediate dismissal from the MP cabinet.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Shah, who made 'derogatory' remarks in reference to Colonel Sofia Qureshi, should be dismissed immediately.
"A minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh has made a very derogatory, shameful and cheap remark about our brave daughter Colonel Sofia Qureshi. The terrorists of Pahalgam wanted to divide the country, but the country was united during the entire 'Operation Sindoor' to give a befitting reply to the terrorists," Kharge posted on X.
He alleged that the BJP-RSS harbours an anti-women mentality.
"First, the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam was trolled on social media, then the daughter of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was harassed, and now the BJP ministers are making such indecent comments about our brave woman Sophia Qureshi," Kharge said and appealed to PM Modi to immediately sack Shah.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari shared the video of Shah on X and asked whether the BJP agrees with the minister's "low thinking"?
The MP Congress Committee alleged that Shah's "indecent' and hate-filled" statement is not just a personal attack, but an open attack on India's military dignity, national unity, and women's honour.
Amid the raging controversy, the BJP's Madhya Pradesh general secretary Hitanand Sharma summoned Shah to the state headquarters in Bhopal.
According to sources, Sharma reprimanded the minister, who also met the state BJP president, Vishnu Dutt Sharma.
Speaking to reporters, Shah sought to attribute the intemperate remarks to his "disturbed" state of mind in view of the brutal killing of innocent people in Pahalgam by terrorists.
He claimed many members of his family have a military background and many were martyred.
"Sister Sophia has brought glory to India by rising above caste and religion. She is more respected than our own sister. I salute her for her service to the nation.
"We cannot even think of insulting her in our dreams. Still, if my words have hurt society and religion, then I am ready to apologise ten times,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Manoj Shukla and the party workers blackened the nameplate of Shah at his bungalow and raised slogans seeking his resignation.
'हमारी सेना की जांबाज बेटियां आतंकवादियों की बहन हैं'
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 13, 2025
- ये घटिया बात मध्य प्रदेश में BJP सरकार के मंत्री विजय शाह ने कही है।
भारत की जिन बेटियों पर सबको नाज है, उन बेटियों को लेकर ये शर्मनाक बयान दिया गया है। उन्हें आतंकवादियों की बहन बताया गया है।
ये हमारी पराक्रमी सेना का… pic.twitter.com/y591M3ky8G
