• Source:JND
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West Bengal BJP MLAs demonstrated against Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress, on Tuesday, accusing her of being an "anti-Hindu chief minister" for her "Mrityu Kumbh" comment on the current Maha Kumbh Mela.

Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday, blasted the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government for allegedly mishandling the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, alleging that the biggest religious event has turned into "Mrityu Kumbh."

Banerjee said that the impoverished were not allowed access to basic services, while VIPs were granted preferential treatment. She also said that the West Bengal government never permitted VIP culture during the Ganga Sagar Mela.

“Maha Kumbh has turned into ‘Mrityu Kumbh’. I respect Maha Kumbh, and I respect the holy Ganga Maa. But there is no planning. How many people have been rescued? For the rich and VIPs, there are systems in place to get camps (tents) for as much as Rs 1 lakh. But for the poor, there are no arrangements at Kumbh," the Chief Minister said while addressing the Budget Session of the West Bengal Assembly.

The BJP, led by Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari, denounced Banerjee's remarks, stating such disrespect for the event will not be accepted.

"I appeal to the Hindu community, saint community to register a strong protest. A little while ago, on the Floor of the House, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that this is not Maha Kumbh but 'Mrityu Kumbh'. Raise your voice against this attack on Hindus, on Maha Kumbh. If you are a true Hindu, rise above politics and strongly oppose these words of Mamata Banerjee," Adhikari, who has been leading a protest outside the assembly after being suspended, said.

Banerjee also accused the Uttar Pradesh administration of failing to adequately plan for the Maha Kumbh religious gathering in Prayagraj and of "selling religion to divide the nation."

“I am proud of being a Hindu. Religion is not something which has to be sold. You (BJP) sell religion and divide the country," alleged CM Banerjee.

Following her remarks, BJP MLAs wearing saffron turbans chanted slogans against Mamata Banerjee.

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The BJP legislators referred to Banerjee as a "Hindu virodhi mukhyamantri" (anti-Hindu chief minister) and stated that the purported insult to the Maha Kumbh would not be condoned by the Indian people.

Meanwhile, commenting on Banerjee's remark, Union Minister Kiren Tijiju said, "Maha Kumbh is a pious, religious and it is an occasion which has come after 144 years. Let us devote ourselves to celebrating the event. It is a unique event, drawn the largest human gathering ever recorded...unlikely to be broken in the future. On such occasion, we should not get into such political comment. If you don't believe in Hindu faith or Maha Kumbh, then let it be..."

BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that Mamata Banerjee has called Kumbh as 'Mrityu Kumbh' but will she say the same about an Islamic festival. "Can she say this when people go to Haj, thousands of people died there, can she say this about that place... Mamata ji, you should be ashamed and embarrassed about what you said today. You are calling such a holy place as 'Mrityu Kumbh'. There cannot be a bigger shame than this," he added.

A pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Mahakumbh on January 29 resulted in at least 30 fatalities and 60 injuries as thousands of pilgrims fought for a spot to take a holy bath on one of the most auspicious days of Mauni Amavasya.