On the eve of Ram Navami, the political landscape in West Bengal was shaken up as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee engaged in a war of words over the celebration of the festival. While Modi accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of trying to stop Ram Navami celebrations, Banerjee alleged that the BJP was attempting to incite communal tensions. In the midst of this, the Calcutta High Court granted permission to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to hold a procession, disregarding the state government's concerns. This raises questions on the role of politics in religious festivities and the role of the judiciary in controlling them.