Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday lashed out at the saffron ecosystem over Monday’s consecration of the Ram temple at Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, albeit without specific mentions, as his party prepared to ensure that the unity marches across Bengal on the day are truly interfaith in character.
“My RELIGION has not taught me to accept and embrace a place of worship, whether it be a MANDIR, MASJID, CHURCH or GURUDWARA, which has been built over HATRED, VIOLENCE and the dead bodies of innocents. Period!” Abhishek posted on X.
A Trinamul MP said chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew attempted to underscore the history of the 16th century Babri Masjid at the site, demolished by saffron camp constituents on December 6, 1992.
“While the BJP and others in the saffron ecosystem are glorifying the event, our leader issued a simple reminder to the nation,” said a senior Trinamul leader.
On Monday, Abhishek’s party will conduct a number of unity and amity exercises across the state. His aunt will visit Kalighat temple and offer puja at the shrine before taking part in a 3.9km march, visiting several places of worship of various religions on her way from the Hazra crossing, before an integration rally at the Park Circus Maidan.
A source said the Trinamul dispensation was putting its best foot forward to bring representatives from all religions to the exercise, to showcase the power of its inclusive politics.
Trinamul will hit the streets with such interfaith rallies in all 341 blocks of the state. Trinamul leaders have been asked to visit major places of worship of various communities before taking out those rallies.
A Trinamul leader said apart from people from different faiths, several outfits of various Hindu castes and sects would take part in the interfaith rally in Calcutta.
“We are trying to bring all social and religious outfits of the state to the interfaith rallies. At least a dozen such organisations have already supported the move and ensured participation in the rallies in Calcutta and districts,” said a leader.
Suman Banerjee, the secretary of Bangiyo Sanatan Brahman Sangathan, an organisation of 70,000 Hindu priests, has decided to join the rallies.
“At least 3,000 people from our outfit will take part in the chief minister’s rally in Calcutta. Our members will also participate in interfaith rallies in various blocks across Bengal,” he said.
Tapasili Federation, a national outfit of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the OBCs, has also sent a letter to Mamata, pledging their participation.
“The representatives of various SC and ST communities, including those from Matua and Rajbanshi communities will take part in the interfaith rallies. A delegation of around 500 people will take part in Mamata Banrjee’s march,” said Mrityunjay Mallik, the national president of the Federation.
