Bengal Police denied permission for the Ramnavami procession in Howrah
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Howrah (Bengal) – Every year, on Ramnavami, the devout Hindu organisation known as ‘Anjani Putra Sena’ takes out a grand procession here. This year, Ramnavami falls on the 17th of April, and a procession is scheduled for that day as well. However, objections have been raised by the Bengal Police. They have stated that permission will only be granted if alterations are made to the procession route, and participation is limited to 200 individuals. In conversation with the representative of Sanatan Prabhat, Surendra Kumar Verma, the founder and secretary of the Sena, conveyed his discontent, stating that ‘Anjani Putra Sena’ plans to petition the Calcutta High Court regarding this issue. Despite attempts to contact K Sabari Raj Kumar, the Additional Commissioner of Police for the Howrah region, he declined to comment, citing ongoing election meetings as the reason.
1. During last year’s Ramnavami procession, religious fanatic Muslims attacked Hindus participating in the procession. Verma informed our correspondent that the Bengal Police had faltered in their duty to safeguard Hindus. Rather than proactively preventing violence, they are suggesting that Hindus divert their route from the usual ‘GT Road’ to the uninhabited ‘Foreshore Road’. Furthermore, they attribute this change to the code of conduct.
2. During the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, we were granted permission to hold a procession, a tradition we have upheld for the past decade. In the first year itself, 2,000 Hindus participated, and over the years, this number has surged to more than 50,000. Yet, we have now been directed to limit the procession to just 200 individuals. We intend to challenge this directive by filing a petition in the Calcutta High Court. We have faith in the Court’s judgment.
What transpired last year on Ramnavami ?
On the evening of Ramnavami, 30th March 2023, in the Shivpur area of Howrah, religiously fanatic Muslims engaged in large-scale violence, pelting stones, and setting fires. The following day, similar incidents occurred, with Hindu homes targeted by stone-pelting. Despite the presence of both Police and paramilitary forces, the perpetrators persisted in their violent actions, even resorting to burning Police vehicles. Due to the inadequate action by the Bengal Police, the case was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) by the Court. NIA has arrested 16 religious fanatic Muslims on 26th February 2024 in this case.
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