West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stirred controversy with her remarks on the sacred Mahakumbh, referring to it as Mritukumbh. The statement, seen as a direct affront to Sanatan Dharma and Hindu traditions, has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused her of habitual Hindu-bashing for political gains.
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has strongly condemned Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remark calling Maha Kumbh 2025 “Mrityu Kumbh.”
Adhikari appealed to the Hindu and saint communities on Tuesday to register a strong protest. He said, “I appeal to the Hindu community, saint community to register a strong protest. A little while ago, on the Floor of the House (State Assembly), West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that this is not Maha Kumbh but ‘Mrityu Kumbh’. Raise your voice against this attack on Hinduism, on Maha Kumbh.”
He further added, “If you are a true Hindu, rise above politics and strongly oppose these words of Mamata Banerjee…”
In response to Mamata Banerjee’s criticism of the Maha Kumbh, a protest was led by Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP MLAs in the West Bengal State Assembly. The group raised slogans and voiced their opposition to the remarks made by the CM.
#WATCH | Kolkata: West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP MLAs raise slogans & protest against CM Mamata Banerjee over her 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark for #MahaKumbh2025.
Visuals of their protest outside the State Assembly. pic.twitter.com/arbSmGHxRE
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2025
The protest came after Mamata Banerjee’s strong disapproval of the event’s management, which she called a “Mrityu Kumbh” due to inadequate planning.
BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s controversial statement alleging it as “hate Sanatan and Hindus”.
In his statement, Bhandari said, “Mamata Banerjee and the entire Indian Alliance, be it Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav or Mamata Banerjee, they hate Sanatan and Hindus. Mamata Banerjee has made it clear, by calling Maha Kumbh ‘Mrityu Kumbh,’ that she hates Hindus and Sanatan in every way.”
Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s National Information & Technology Dept denounced West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remar. Slamming Banerjee, Malviya said that she was “under the influence of Firhad Hakim, a known proponent of Dawat-e-Islam, has once again revealed her deep-seated contempt for Bharat’s cultural and religious traditions. By calling the sacred Maha Kumbh Mrityu Kumbh (Death Kumbh), she has launched a deliberate attack on one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimages, attended by millions for centuries. Mamata Banerjee never misses an opportunity to appease her vote bank, yet when it comes to Hindu festivals and traditions, her attitude shifts to disdain and hostility.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, under the influence of Firhad Hakim, a known proponent of Dawat-e-Islam, has once again revealed her deep-seated contempt for Bharat’s cultural and religious traditions. By calling the sacred Maha Kumbh Mrityu Kumbh (Death Kumbh), she… pic.twitter.com/ZofHrnGcAw
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 18, 2025
On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ remark for #MahaKumbh2025, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan says, “I think that’s a very unfair comment…I think the problem in the approach of our leadership is it is very easy to comment on Sanatana Dharma or Hindu Dharma. They don’t do the same level of criticism for any other religion. We have an issue with this kind of approach. They don’t realise that they are hurting the sentiments of crores of people.
Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi hit back at Mamata Banerjee and stated, “Calling Maha Kumbh as ‘mrityu Kumbh’ is an insult to Sanatan tradition, our culture, our social solidarity, our festivals, and this statement of Mamata Banerjee by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is very unfortunate. They should not insult people’s sentiments in this way; one should try to understand the public sentiments…”
