Several BJP MLAs raised “Jai Shri Ram” slogans to heckle chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the railway programme at Howrah station on Friday.
And at least three of them defended doing so after the programme.
The three were part of a BJP team comprising MPs, MLAs, leaders and supporters who were seated in a designated area on Platform 21, opposite the area where the chief minister was present along with Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose and others.
Chants of “Jai Shri Ram’’ erupted as soon as Mamata walked close to the edge of the platform after greeting the drivers of the Vande Bharat Express.
Some BJP workers jumped up from their seats to scream at the top of their voices after seeing the chief minister.
A few police personnel started running around asking the workers to stop their chants. They did not stop.
With “Jai Shri Ram” chants echoing all over the place, Mamata stared at the crowd for a few minutes. She then turned around, flanked by the state’s chief secretary and the director-general of police.
Some BJP party supporters clapped.
Asked about the chant, Rabindranath Maity, BJP MLA from Bhagwanpur in Purba Medinipur, told The Telegraph: “We can’t decide on what some of our supporters will say or not say during a function. This wasn’t planned. There was a sudden urge of emotions and we joined the chant.”
Among the crowd were security personnel of MPs and officers from Howrah police commissionerate. They could do little to stop the slogans that left even a section of BJP leaders embarrassed.
“Please stop this. This is a railway function and not a party event,” Subhas Sarkar, BJP MP from Bankura said grabbing the microphone on the dais. Not many paid heed to him.
“Lord Ram is referred to as Maryada Purushottam for honour and righteousness. What’s wrong in taking God’s name?” said Tapasi Mondal, BJP MLA from Haldia, told this newspaper.
By then, the railway minister had already reached out to the chief minister with folded hands and Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, too, had a word with her.
As leaders took their position on the dais just before the start of the function, Mamata refused to move from her place. She remained seated on a chair at a distance from the stage.
“Why would the chief minister feel disturbed by the chants of Lord Ram?” asked Sumita Sinha, BJP MLA from Kanthi Uttar.
Many like her were on the list of invitees for the programme.
The railways said it had received requests from political parties about accommodating their members and representatives for the function.
All the requests were kept, senior officials said.
The enclosure meant for party workers on Platform 21 had only those from the BJP.
“The list of invitees was finalised after accommodating everyone recommended by the parties. It was sent to the SPG team that was responsible for the Prime Minister’s security on Friday,” said a senior railway official.
Some BJP leaders said it was not possible to identify each of those who had chanted the slogan.
“It is not possible to identify those who were chanting. The invitation was sent out by the railway,” said Manoj Tigga, BJP MLA from Madarihat in Jalpaiguri.
Other leaders said when a handful began chanting, they did not feel it necessary to intervene.
“Once Mamata Banerjee reacted to the chants of Jai Shri Ram, it turned into a chorus,” said Rahul Sinha, former Bengal president of the BJP who was present at the event.