West Bengal BJP president stopped from visiting strife-torn Mothabari

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and others are seen during a protest in Kolkata.
| Photo Credit: ANI

A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership led by State president Sukanta Majumdar was on Sunday (March 30, 2025) stopped by the police from entering Mothabari in West Bengal’s Malda district, which witnessed a communal flare-up on March 27. Mr. Majumdar who is also Union Minister of State for Education was stopped at Englishbazar about three km from Mothabari.

Addressing party supporters at the barricade put up by the police, the BJP leader accused the police of not being able to “ protect the Hindus” and exhorted locals to observe Ram Navami with more enthusiasm this year.

“How can the police direct the villagers not to hold Ram Navami puja? The police cannot do that. I have asked the people to celebrate Ram Navami without fear,” Mr. Majumdar said, addressing the gathering.

The BJP leader asked party workers and leaders to keep vigil in the strife-affected areas and said that Hindus in Malda cannot be persecuted because they are minorities. Not only Mr. Majumdar but Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also raised the pitch over the developments at Mothabari and said that it is a “fight for existence for the Hindus”. Mr. Adhikari also added that a similar situation has occurred at Nowda in Murshidabad, where shops have been set on fire.

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said that the police was right in stopping the BJP leaders as they were trying to foment trouble in a sensitive situation.

The West Bengal police on Saturday said the situation at Mothabari was under control and 16 cases have been registered. Additional Director General of Police ( Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said that 61 persons have been arrested, and senior police officials like Inspector General of Police North Bengal and Deputy Inspector General, Malda Range, remained on the spot in Mothabari.

Meanwhile, Murshidabad police district has registered two cases relating to arson in the Nowda area .“Two specific cases have been started over the incident, and six persons have been arrested so far in night-long raids. Further raids are being conducted to bring other offenders to book. The situation is under control,” the Murshidabad district police said.

With the Eid -ul- Fitr and Ram Navami festivals, the West Bengal police have urged the people to exercise restraint and not believe in rumours. The State BJP leadership has claimed that about one crore Hindus will hit the streets in processions during Ram Navami.