In her address in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj as a “Mrityu Kumbh” or Death Kumbh, criticizing the management of the event and alleging that inadequate planning had led to tragic incidents. This remark has sparked a furious political and religious controversy, garnering condemnations from diverse quarters which include Hindu religious leaders and political opponents.
The Hindu Monk’s Rejoinder
In an immediate reaction to the Chief Minister’s comments, Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, head of the All India Sant Samiti, threatened Mamata Banerjee, predicting that the West Bengal elections might be a “Mrityu Kumbh” for her political career, insinuating that her statement has alienated a large section of the voters.
He emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela, stating millions of devotees from Bengal and other East Indian states attended the event, and these types of statements could be seen as an insult to their religious sentiments.
Political Backlash
Taking cues from Banerjee’s comments, the BJP charged the Chief Minister with being anti-Hindu. Protests took place in the Assembly under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, who condemned the Chief Minister’s statements. He asked for the Hindu community and religious leaders to express their disapproval vehemently, asserting that such derogatory remarks on a sacred event could not go scot-free.
He stated, “If you are a true Hindu, rise above politics and strongly oppose these words of Mamata Banerjee.”
The BJP’s IT Cell chief, Amit Malviya, also came down hard on Banerjee, claiming her statements reveal a horrible disdain for Hindu customs. He further tagged her refusal to respect the long-standing conventions and religion as playing appeasement politics to garner certain vote banks.
As a gesture of respect to Maha Kumbh and the holy Ganga, Chief Minister Banerjee went on to criticize the Uttar Pradesh government for the calamity. She pointed out discrepancies in arrangement, charging the provision of first-rate facilities for VIPs while compelling common devotees to do without.
Banerjee further questioned the arrangements and measures taken for security and safety, especially in light of fatal incidents such as stampedes. “Stampede situations are common at a ‘mela,’ but it does not mean that you do not arrange … What planning was done?”
In answer to charges that she is associated with Bangladeshi fundamentalists, Banerjee challenged those making the claims to prove their point.
She said that if ever evidence came to the fore suggesting any such associations, she would resign from her post, emphasizing her commitment to secularism and welfare of all communities in West Bengal. This defense mounts a counter-narrative towards portraying Banerjee as biased or facilitating extremist fronts.
Broader Implications
The controversy comes at a critical moment when West Bengal is gearing towards assembly elections. Religious sentiment is ingrained in the political landscape of the state, and comments construed as disrespectful towards cultural traditions tend to have electoral implications.
The BJP is expected to use the incident to mobilize support by projecting the ruling Trinamool Congress as disconnected from the cultural ethos of the majority time.
Conversely, Banerjee’s criticism of the conduct of the affair could see her earn the goodwill of voters worried about public safety and equally fair treatment of all devotees irrespective of their socio-economic standing.
The episode throws up a distinct paradox of how politicians should be perch on razors literally between criticising an obnoxious administrative practice while at the same time keeping hold of the most sincerely held religious sentiments.
