Several BJP leaders led by Suvendu Adhikari participated in a protest rally on Thursday in Kolkata's Esplanade area condemning the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and denouncing attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. The event drew a large gathering of Hindu protesters.
The rally witnessed a significant turnout of saffron-robed saints and monks, including Swami Paramatmananda, president of the Bengal chapter of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, and Swami Pradiptananda, the head of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha's branch in Murshidabad's Beldanga, widely recognised as Kartik Maharaj.
Sayan Ghosh, the 22-year-old Kolkata resident who was allegedly assaulted in Dhaka on November 26 while visiting a friend, also attended the rally. Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition, and others on stage were seen showing their respect by bowing to him.
The event was filled with saffron flags adorned with the "Jai Shree Ram" slogan, as well as images of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman. Demonstrators were observed blowing conch shells and raising all sorts of religious slogans.
The rally became a platform for many frantic demands and threats. While LoP Adhikari has been calling for a ban on export of goods to Bangladesh, Kartik Maharaj threatened to close India’s border with the neighbouring countries.
“Under the leadership of Suvendu [Adhikari] da, we had stopped goods vehicles in Petrapole [border in North 24 Parganas district],” he said. “In coming days, if the Indian government doesn’t listen to our demands and stand in support of Bengali Hindus, we will seal the border with Bangladesh,” he added.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denounced the situation in Bangladesh during an assembly session, pledging state and party backing for any decision by the Centre on this external affairs matter. However, LoP Adhikari intertwined regional electoral politics, drawing comparisons between her and Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government.
“Jaha Yunus, tahai Mamata [Mamata is what Yunus is,” he said to a thunderous response from the crowd.
The Nandigram MLA also demanded the immediate release of three persons who have been arrested for allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag in North 24 Parganas district’s Barasat.
Workers and various trade unions, including the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), organised a march from Esplanade to College Square. In addition to protesting the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, they expressed their concerns about violence against minorities in India and other regions.
