The CPI(M) accused the VHP of dictating how Durga Puja should be observed in West Bengal. Mohammed Salim said the push over rituals and food reflects a wider politics of diversion and control.
The CPI(M) on Saturday criticised the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, accusing it of trying to decide how Durga Puja should be celebrated in West Bengal and of hurting the festival’s spirit. The attack came days after the VHP objected to some earlier Durga Puja themes in the state, saying idols of the goddess had been “distorted”, and urged organisers to follow traditional rituals and ban non-vegetarian food inside pandals.
Addressing reporters on the first day of a two-day extended meeting of the CPI(M)’s West Bengal state committee in Kalyani, state secretary Mohammed Salim also widened his criticism to the BJP government.
He alleged that the party had turned to “religious purification” instead of delivering on promises of jobs, better education, industry and action against corruption.
“The VHP has taken upon itself the authority to decide how Bengalis would celebrate Durga Puja. They are now saying non-vegetarian food will not be allowed in the vicinity of puja pandals,” Salim said. He alleged that the VHP was trying to destroy the festive spirit of Durga Puja.
Salim also accused the BJP government of throttling democracy and freedom of speech, attacking opposition parties and creating a toxic atmosphere around religious issues. “It is for the people of Bengal to decide whether they elected the party for jobs, industries, education, stopping corruption or for this,” he said.
He alleged that the government was targeting poorer sections of society. “They have declared a war against hawkers, footpath dwellers and the homeless,” Salim said, adding that they were facing hardship because of the government’s actions.
The BJP administration has launched anti-encroachment drives across the state to clear pavements of hawkers. Agnimitra Paul recently faced criticism over her rebuke of a homeless woman heating milk on a Park Street footpath, and Suvendu Adhikari later met the woman at his weekly Janata Darbar and assured her of assistance.
Salim said the BJP had come to power promising jobs, industrialisation, filling all vacant posts and ensuring a free and fair recruitment process, but alleged that little had been done in the past three months.
Drawing a parallel with the previous Mamata Banerjee government, he said, “We had seen similar attempts by the previous dispensation.”
He alleged that the earlier government dictated which newspapers, magazines and books would be taken by government libraries.
He also alleged that educational institutions such as Jadavpur University were being targeted. “Attacks are being perpetrated on anything related to intelligent thinking,” he said.
