Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday directed the police to ensure that no riots break out when Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is camping in the state.
“The RSS chief will be staying at Keshiary from May 17 to May 20. What’s his purpose? Give him protection and ensure that there are no riots. Send him sweets and fruits on behalf of the administration. He should feel that we welcome our guests. But don’t go overboard else he may take advantage. Keep a good watch,” Banerjee told the officer-in-charge of Keshiary police station on Tuesday.
She was holding an administrative meeting at West Midnapore district. It was attended by senior bureaucrats of the state, top officials from the district, local MLAs and the police.
“The local legislator should also keep watch,” she said.
Bhagwat is scheduled to camp at Keshiary in West Bengal for four days where he will take part in a RSS training camp. The camp will be held for three weeks.
Political observers are of the opinion that RSS’s activities and work have helped the BJP gain popularity in Bengal in recent years.
The BJP made maximum inroads in Jangalmahal – a region spread across West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram districts in south Bengal – in 2019 Lok Sabha polls when it had won 18 of the state’s 42 seats. In north Bengal, it secured seven of the eight seats.
Even though top RSS leaders in West Bengal refused to comment, the BJP hit out at Banerjee.
“Riots are taking place in West Bengal even when Bhagwat is not here. Four RSS camps are being held in the state and RSS leaders including Bhagwat will be attending some of them. Police and her party workers are killing and raping people. She can’t tackle them. Bhagwat is a respectable person and visits every state. It doesn’t suit a chief minister to make such statements,” said Dilip Ghosh, BJP national vice president.
