Mamata warns VHP, no 'shastra puja' will be permitted
Mamata Banerjee warned all the right wing factions to keep peace and not "play with fire". She said worshipping weapons will not be permitted on the last day of Durga Puja festival. Mamata said people trying to hurt the Bengali culture will be dealt with strictly. The DGP said that no processions with weapons will be allowed in the name of 'shastra puja'.
After the success of shastra puja on Ram Navami this year, the VHP is equipping for a 'shastra puja' in Bengal on Bijoya Dasami. Sachindranath Singha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad organizational secretary for West Bengal, said they would take legal steps against the government if they are stopped. He said that worshipping licensed weapons was not illegal and the government cannot bar Hindus from celebrating.
Shastra Puja is celebrated by RSS and VHP in various parts of India, often courting controversy by displaying firearms and celebratory firing. However, it is not very popular in West Bengal. Bengalis traditionally celebrate Bijoya Dasami with sindoor khela and not 'Shastra Puja'
Apart from the shastra puja controversy, the West Bengal administration is mired in another controversy. Time limits have been set for Durga idol immersion, as Muharram falls on the next day. While this is being done to avoid any communal tension in the state but the Opposition has been quick to fan this debate. The Banerjee government has been blamed of appeasing minorities.
Replying to Banerjee, the RSS said that she was misconstruing their statement. They said that they never wanted to take out processions with weapons but only worship weapons. Jishnu Basu, general secretary of RSS in south Bengal said 'Shastra Puja' was an integral part of Durga Puja. Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, "the chief minister seems to have lost confidence in herself."
