With several right-wing organisations planning to take out processions on Ram Navami across West Bengal, the police stations have been put on high alert and directed to monitor social media. The district administrations in several districts have also been alerted. While the Hindu Jagaran Manch has planned for big processions, the chief minister's nephew and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to use religion for political gains. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Anjani Putra Sena have been given permission to conduct their processions in Howrah district.
Ram Navami: Tensions Rise in West Bengal as Protests and Processions Loom
Ram Navami, a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, has become a flashpoint in West Bengal as right-wing organizations plan to take out processions amidst rising tensions.
Background
In recent years, Ram Navami processions have been marred by violence and communal clashes in various parts of the country. Concerns have been raised about the potential for such incidents in West Bengal, which has a history of communal tensions.
Preparations and Alerts
In anticipation of the processions, police stations have been put on high alert and directed to monitor social media. The district administrations in several districts have also been alerted. The Hindu Jagaran Manch has planned for large processions, while the chief minister's nephew and Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has accused the BJP of using religion for political gains.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Anjani Putra Sena have been granted permission to conduct their processions in Howrah district.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is Ram Navami?
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, the protagonist of the epic Ramayana.
2. Why are tensions rising in West Bengal?
Concerns have been raised about the potential for violence and communal clashes during Ram Navami processions, which have been marred by such incidents in previous years.
3. What steps are the authorities taking?
Police stations have been put on high alert, social media is being monitored, and district administrations have been alerted.
4. Which organizations are planning processions?
The Hindu Jagaran Manch, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and Anjani Putra Sena are among the organizations that have planned processions.
5. What are the political implications?
The chief minister's nephew has accused the BJP of using religion for political gains, while the BJP has denied these allegations.
Conclusion
The situation in West Bengal remains tense as authorities grapple with the challenges of maintaining peace and preventing communal violence during Ram Navami processions. The outcome of these events will have significant implications for both the state and the nation as a whole.
The Ministry of Railways has directed social media platform X to remove photos and videos related to the February 15 stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that disrespect the deceased, outrage women's modesty, and are traumatic for survivors and their relatives. The directive was issued after family members of the stampede victims requested the Ministry to take action. The Ministry has also recently empowered its executive director to issue notices to platforms carrying prohibited information related to railways.
In a fiery speech during a debate on the motion of thanks, BJP chief whip Sanjay Jaiswal targeted Feroze Gandhi, the grandfather of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, for changing his surname to Gandhi. Jaiswal's remarks have received praise from senior party leaders, who see it as a challenge to the Gandhi dynasty. This comes amid BJP's campaign to connect with regional groups and attract Telugu-speaking voters, with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's recent meeting in Delhi gaining significant traction. Additionally, the Home Ministry has directed all ministries and government departments to not omit the national motto, 'Satyameva Jayate', when using the State Emblem of India, stating that the emblem is "incomplete" without it.
In a written reply to Congress MLAs, Gujarat's Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai stated that the state's public debt stands at over Rs 3.77 lakh crore, with over Rs 48,000 crore paid as interest in the past two years alone. The government has borrowed from financial institutions, market loans, and the central government, drawing criticism from opposition Congress for burdening the people of the state.
The Trump Administration has proposed cutting Title 20 funds, which go towards social safety programs like Meals on Wheels. This move would drastically reduce the nonprofit's budget, potentially leading to a 50% cut in the number of clients they can serve. With a waiting list of 300 people and growing, this decision could have devastating consequences for the elderly and infirm who depend on Meals on Wheels for low-cost meals and essential services. Meals on Wheels Plus in Abilene is just one of the many programs at risk of losing critical funding, leaving them in a precarious financial position.
The latest controversy surrounding a popular digital show in India, India's Got Latent, has brought to light important discussions about the line between comedy and responsibility on the internet. Host Ranveer Allahbadia's remarks have caused a nationwide debate, with individuals from all walks of life speaking out about the incident. While some have questioned the rapid escalation of the issue, others have drawn attention to the larger context of hate speech and its consequences. Politician Priyanka Chaturvedi strongly emphasized the need for responsible use of platform and plans to formally address the issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay joined forces at the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) Leadership Conclave to discuss the importance of authentic leadership in today's world. Modi's unwavering commitment to nurturing leaders from various fields was praised by Tobgay, who referred to him as an "elder brother" and a mentor. The two-day event, which brings together leaders from different domains, aims to inspire young audiences by sharing experiences of both successes and failures in leadership.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has warned the Centre against implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state, stating that the people of Tamil Nadu will launch a 'Get out Modi' campaign if their rights are snatched away. He also demanded the immediate release of funds for the education department and appealed to the opposition AIADMK to join the ruling DMK in protesting against the NEP. This has raised concerns over a potential language war in the state, impacting the future of Tamil children.
Telangana's Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has called out the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (BRS) for disseminating false information to the public regarding the sharing of Krishna river water with Andhra Pradesh. Reddy accused the former irrigation minister and BRS leader T. Harish Rao of trying to discredit the Congress government instead of taking responsibility for their own failures. Data from the Krishna River Management Board also showed a consistent imbalance in water usage between the two states, with Andhra Pradesh using over 60% of the water while Telangana's share remained below 36%. The negligence of the BRS government in addressing this issue has resulted in delays for crucial irrigation projects and water shortages for farmers in Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, and Rangareddy districts.
After the sweeping victory of BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections, Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA, has been selected as the party's Chief Minister candidate. She will be sworn in at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan, along with Parvesh Verma as the Deputy CM. This marks a historic moment as Gupta will become the first woman to lead Delhi, and one of the few women CMs in India. Security has been heightened with over 25,000 forces deployed for the event. Stay updated with ABP Live for live coverage of the event.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA, as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. She has taken oath at a grand ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan, along with other BJP ministers and top NDA leaders. The newly-formed Delhi Cabinet will have its first meeting where they are expected to approve several schemes, including the Centre's Ayushman Bharat. BJP leaders are hailing Delhi's victory as the country's victory following their big win in the assembly elections.