Mon Apr 07 02:01:31 UTC 2025: ## BJP Alleges Attack on Ram Navami Procession in Kolkata, Police Deny Unpermitted Rally

**Kolkata, West Bengal –** Tensions flared in Kolkata following a Ram Navami procession, with conflicting accounts emerging regarding an alleged attack on Hindu devotees in the Park Circus Seven Point area.

BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar, also the party’s West Bengal president, claimed that participants carrying saffron flags were targeted with stone-throwing, resulting in damaged vehicles and widespread chaos. He accused the Kolkata Police of inaction, alleging a “politics of appeasement” by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Majumdar shared videos on X (formerly Twitter) depicting the alleged vandalism and vowed an even larger Ram Navami procession next year.

However, Kolkata Police issued a statement refuting Majumdar’s claims. They stated that no permission had been granted for any procession in the area and that police intervened promptly to restore order only after receiving reports of vehicle damage. A case is underway to investigate the incident, and the police urged the public to disregard rumors.

The conflicting narratives sparked a political showdown. BJP leader Tarunjyoti Tewari questioned the police’s assertion, highlighting a recent protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which also took place in Park Circus. He implied that permission standards are inconsistently applied.

Despite the incident, over 2,000 Ram Navami rallies took place across West Bengal, involving senior members of both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The event underscored the heightened political tensions in the state, with assembly elections scheduled for next year.

Approximately 6,000 police personnel were deployed for the Ram Navami celebrations, utilizing drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and quick response teams. Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed gratitude for the generally peaceful celebrations, crediting joint efforts from the state government, political parties, and the Raj Bhavan.

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