Bengal BJP MP alleges ‘attack’ on Hindus and seeks Governor’s intervention

West Bengal’s Purulia BJP MLA Jyotirmay Singh Mahato on Tuesday sought the governor’s intervention to “protect” Hindus in the state from alleged threats and attacks.

In a letter to Governor CV Anana Bose, Mahato said several Hindu festivals, including Durga Puja and Kali Puja, have been “attacked”.

“There have been frequent reports of disturbances, stone-pelting and physical violence against devotees during these celebrations, which are not just festivals but deeply cherished parts of Bengali Hindu identity,” Mahato said.

“This year alone, several attacks have been reported during Durga Puja and Kali Puja immersions across the state. In a recent incident in Kolkata’s Rajabazar area, participants in a Kali Puja immersion procession were assaulted, with the police later dismissing the matter as a ‘parking dispute’, adding to concerns of negligence and bias from the authorities,” Mahato added in his letter.

In his letter, Mahto also compared the current situation in West Bengal with the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s.

In particular, several Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homeland in Jammu and Kashmir due to targeted attacks and violence against them.

“Social media is full of posts and messages propagating anti-Hindu sentiments with worrying calls to replicate the violence witnessed in Bangladesh against Hindus. Posts on WhatsApp and other platforms boast of “achievements” in Bangladesh, and, frighteningly, some users are now discussing “achieving similar results in Bengal.” The Bengal administration’s alarming silence on these issues reflects either willful ignorance or willful endorsement of such divisive narratives.” the BJP MP wrote.

In his letter, the Purulia MLA also sought the governor’s intervention to ensure fair and legal treatment of Hindu religious festivals and offices without discriminatory restrictions or interference.