Ahead of the Ram Navami celebrations, the West Bengal Police has cancelled the leaves of all personnel from April 2 to April 9 to strengthen security measures. This move, ordered by Additional Director General of Law and Order, Javed Shamim, will only allow leave in extreme emergencies.
The Local Hindus in Bolpur+Labhpur (Birbhum, WB) want to organise Raam Navami rally on 6th April. But @WBPolice are citing safety and security reasons not to allow the rally. Every time there is a Hindu Festival, the authorities have a safety concern. Safety from what? pic.twitter.com/YBSLzapWMt
— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) April 3, 2025
BJP leader and former national vice-president Dilip Ghosh has accused the West Bengal Police of causing unnecessary panic among the public ahead of the Hindu festival.
DCP Central Biswajit Mahato stated that police teams have been deployed to patrol sensitive areas as a preventive measure to ensure law and order during the celebrations and build public trust.
Howrah, West Bengal: DCP Central Biswajit Mahato, says, "This is a preventive action. Before Ram Navami, we conduct patrols to reassure people, especially in sensitive areas, that the police are with them and fully prepared to ensure a peaceful celebration…" pic.twitter.com/kPKAJivwzc
— IANS (@ians_india) April 2, 2025
Additional Director General (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar stated, “There are plans to provoke people through various posters or online posts. The police are on high alert. Attempts may be made to create tension between communities, particularly around the Ram Navami celebrations. We urge the public not to be provoked and assure them there is no need for concern. At the same time, we encourage people to notify the local police if they observe any suspicious activities in their areas.”
Ghosh, however, strongly criticised the West Bengal Police for the decision, calling it a “panic-driven move.” He urged the police to focus on individuals who cause trouble rather than targeting the general public. The former Member of Parliament emphasised that Hindus celebrate their festivals peacefully, stating, “Such panic-driven measures are only taken during Hindu festivals. The police should focus on those who stir up trouble. Hindus are well-organised and conduct their religious rituals without disturbance. Lakhs of people participate in Durga Puja without any issues. It has become a habit of the ruling party to create unnecessary tension and panic.”
In a similar incident, during the 2023 Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal, Islamist groups attacked a Hindu procession with stones and other weapons. The attack occurred after the procession passed near a mosque, escalating tensions and causing significant unrest.
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