In a shocking incident, the Ramakrishna Mission in Jalpaiguri was attacked in the early hours of May 20 by armed miscreants. This comes just days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that monks from the Mission were influenced by the BJP, triggering a political storm.
The Ramakrishna Mission has filed an official police complaint detailing the attack. According to the complaint, a group of armed men, allegedly hired by Pradip Roy, stormed the Sewak House within the ashram.
They reportedly assaulted monks and security personnel, damaged CCTV cameras, and stole mobile phones. The complaint states, “The miscreants, armed with firearms and daggers, trespassed into the premises, assaulted our men, and damaged property to instil fear of instant death.”
BJP leader Amit Malviya reacted strongly, condemning the incident and blaming Mamata Banerjee for creating an environment that led to the attack. “This is the worst thing Mamata Banerjee could have done to West Bengal,” he tweeted.
“This is the worst thing Mamata Banerjee could have done to West Bengal. After she threatened Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangh and ISKCON from an open stage, criminals, with firearms and daggers entered Ramakrishna Mission Ashram under Kotwali PS in Jalpaiguri, and attacked the monks, broke CCTV, brandish firearms, forcefully detained the Sadhus and threw them on streets. This is nothing less than a Talibani regime,” he said in a post on X.
This is the worst thing Mamata Banerjee could have done to West Bengal.
After she threatened Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangh and ISKCON from an open stage, criminals, with firearms and daggers entered Ramakrishna Mission Ashram under Kotwali PS in Jalpaiguri, and… pic.twitter.com/udlzoQ3hMa
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 20, 2024
He accused the Chief Minister of inciting violence against the Ramakrishna Mission and other Hindu organisations like Bharat Sevashram Sangha and ISKCON, following her controversial remarks.
Mamata Banerjee had earlier accused certain monks of conspiring with the BJP to influence polling processes, which she claimed from an open stage. She stated, “Some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi.” Her comments have been met with severe backlash from BJP leaders and supporters of these religious organisations.
In her latest speech, CM Mamata spoke against Ramakrishna Mission, particularly the one at Asansol. As per her, the mission was asking Hindu devotees to consider voting for BJP. She deemed this as an insult to the times when she helped the mission out during CPI(M)’s rule.
Yesterday in Arambagh, Mamata Banerjee attacked on 3 hindu institutions in Bengal
1: ISKCON
2: Ramakrishna Mission
3: Bharat Sevashram SanghShe accused these institutions are supporting and helping BJP in elections via WhatsApp.
She said that these revered orgs which risk… pic.twitter.com/7BMLn6FszC
— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) May 19, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticised Banerjee’s comments, highlighting the global reputation of organizations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha for their service. Speaking at a public meeting in Purulia, PM Modi said, “The TMC government has crossed all limits. These organizations are known worldwide for their dedication to service and have elevated the nation’s name globally.”
The Ramakrishna Mission’s complaint further alleges ongoing intimidation by the assailants. It states, “Pradip Roy and his men are presently roaming around the locality, claiming control over law enforcement and threatening to shed blood if resisted.”
“The said miscreants snatched the mobile phones of our men and security guards, damaged the CCTV cameras and assaulted our men for causing fear of instant death. By committing the aforesaid offence, the said miscreants left the place of occurrence by taking away the mobile phones and threatening our men and security guards with dire consequences,” the complaint further said.
According to the police, the Ramakrishna Mission building on Sevoke Road in Jalpaiguri was allegedly attacked late Saturday night by a group of miscreants carrying firearms. The intruders thrashed the security guard and some workers at the ashram, threatening to kill them. Before leaving, they vandalized ashram property and damaged CCTV cameras.
The ashram authorities have lodged a written complaint, and the police have begun investigating the incident.
This incident has intensified the political clash between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal, with the latter accusing the former of fostering a hostile and unsafe environment for socio-religious institutions. The investigation into the attack is ongoing, with calls for accountability and protection for religious organisations echoing across political and public forums.
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