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Mamata Accuses Monks of Working for BJP, Triggers Controversy
With the Lok Sabha Election in the penultimate phase, a controversy of sorts has erupted involving Mamata Banerjee and the Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS), after the West Bengal chief minister has alleged that some of the monks were working for the BJP.
In the last three days, Banerjee again targeted a prominent monk of the BSS and blamed him for the riots at Beldanga in Murshidabad during Ram Navami processions last month.
Banerjee later clarified on Monday at a public rally in Bishnupur constituency in Bankura district, “I am not against Ramakrishna Mission. Why should I be against an institution and show disrespect? Even I paid a visit to Maharaj (former head of the RKM) when he was ill. I have only talked about one or two people. Bharat Sevashram Sangha does great philanthropic work for the people and they also love me. I only mentioned one name and he is Kartik Maharaj. He did not allow our agents in polling booths. Two days before the election in Murshidabad, he incited a riot in the district. That’s why I took his name,” as quoted by The Indian Express.
Swami Pradiptananda, also known as Kartik Maharaj, the head of BSS’ Beldanga unit, has sent a legal notice to the Trinamool Congress supremo, seeking an unconditional apology within 48 hours.
Source: TMC In Damage Control Mode After Mamata Riles Up Ramakrishna Mission, Sevashram Monks; Row Explained