Mend ways over divisive politics, VHP tells Mamata

Kolkata, April 11 (IANS) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday warned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to "mend your ways", and accused her of dividing and oppressing the Hindus and kindling separatism among Muslims.

"No matter how many cases you lodge, no matter how many people you arrest, Hindus will not stop, they will not be beaten up. We challenge her and warn her, you mend your ways. If you don't, then Bengal's public will not accept Mamata (who shows affection for jehadis) for long," Surendra Kumar Jain, VHP's International Joint General Secretary, said.

"She had the time to hike salaries of Imams.... Imams were hale and hearty while the Hindu pundits were not. It seemed as if there was Aurangzeb's rule in Bengal. She detested Ram's name. She even changed the word Ramdhenu to Rangdhenu. I think she will also change names of people who are named after Ram," he said.

Taking on Banerjee's accusations against the VHP for putting weapons in hands of children during the grand Ram Navami celebrations and processions, Jain countered that the Trinamool Congress supremo is misusing the child rights protection commission.

"In Muharram processions, weapons are brandished. So how can you single out Ram Navami? You should see the pictures where children carry weapons during Muharram, how children slaughter goats during Eid. Is it not a violation of child rights? Do you not see that? Why are you silent then?" he asked.

In response to allegations of VHP promoting polarisation, Jain lashed out at Banerjee for indulging in polarisation instead.

"You can hike Imam's salary, you will not lodge case against perpetrators of violence in Malda, you will shorten the duration of Durga Puja immersion due to Muharram, isn't this polarisation? You have indulged in polarisation, against the country, against Bengal, against Hindus," Jain said.

"But if there was any polarisation on Ram Navami, this was for patriots, this was for 'Ram bhakts' and we are proud of such polarisation in favour of the nation, polarisation of the patriotic persons of Bengal," he asserted.

Dismissing allegations of VHP promoting religious politics, Jain pointed fingers at Banerjee for promoting "divide and rule" among the Hindus and Muslims in Bengal.

"She is committing an injustice against Muslim society by kindling separatism. She has made Bakhtiyar Khilji the role model for Muslims in Bengal."

"Due to appeasement politics, she has fanned fundamentalism. You have divided the Hindu society. Before that you have divided Hindus and Muslims. You have promoted fundamentalism," he added.