Not letting up, Trinamool chief accuses priest of starting riots once again

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday again slammed Bharat Sevashram Sangha monk Kartick Mahraj for allegedly instigating riots in Murshidabad's Rejinagar during Ram Navami, arguing he must officially use the BJP's symbol as he was allegedly promoting the party's cause.

Kartick Maharaj, who heads the Sangha's chapter at Berhampore in Murshidabad, has already sent a legal notice to Banerjee.

Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday criticised Banerjee for allegedly attacking the saints and religious organizations such as Ramkrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, which are "spiritual inspirations."


Banerjee was speaking at a public rally in Bishnupur's Onda.

"Kartick Maharaj is behind the riots in Rejinagar. If he intends to do politics, he should do it with a BJP symbol. He has said Trinamool agents will not be allowed to sit in the booth," said Banerjee. "You go to various areas and do politics for BJP. Earlier, he did Adhir-politics (Congress). Now he is doing it for the BJP. He is behind the riots and should he be set free?" Banerjee said.

However, Banerjee said she respects Ramakrishna Mission or Bharat Sevashram Sangha for their philanthropy.

Reacting sharply, West Bengal Pradesh Congress President and Berhampore MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: "It is Mamata Banerjee who instigated people about riots when the election commission transferred the Police Superintendent of Murshidabad. She instigated the riots to make a division between Hindu and Muslims and wanted to defeat me."