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Trinamool Congress insiders say the West Bengal CM’s comments, referring to the spiritual gathering as ‘Mrityu Kumbh’, were directed at the Yogi Adityanath government and the Centre
defended her stance on the Kumbh Mela, saying that she was merely criticising the arrangements at the spiritual gathering. (PTI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to capitalise on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remarks about the Maha Kumbh, turning it into a major political issue.
Banerjee, during her budget reply speech, criticised the arrangements at the religious gathering, referring to it as “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Kumbh) and highlighting the lack of facilities for the poor while VIP treatment was given to some.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) insiders say Banerjee’s comments were directed at the Yogi Adityanath government and the Centre, aiming to expose their mismanagement of the event, particularly in light of the recent stampede. However, BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, condemned her statement as an attack on Hindu sentiments and the sanctity of the Kumbh Mela. Adhikari also announced a protest march and said he plans to submit a deputation to the Governor on the matter.
Shameful, Condemnable & DisrespectfulWest Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee states that, “This is ‘Mrityu Kumbh’ & not Maha Kumbh”.
She doesn’t have an idea regarding the Holy Maha Kumbh event which is happening after 144 years. Neither does she respects Hindu Traditions nor does she… pic.twitter.com/3UC2zwzfEN
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) February 18, 2025
BJP leader Amit Malviya, in a series of tweets, accused Banerjee of harbouring contempt for Hindu traditions and appeasing her vote bank. He cited her past actions, including her discomfort with the term “Kafir” and her association with politicians who have made controversial remarks about Hindus. Malviya believes this incident reflects Banerjee’s growing insecurity after the recent political defeat of Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi and her own loss in Nandigram.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, under the influence of Firhad Hakim, a known proponent of Dawat-e-Islam, has once again revealed her deep-seated contempt for Bharat’s cultural and religious traditions. By calling the sacred Maha Kumbh Mrityu Kumbh (Death Kumbh), she… pic.twitter.com/ZofHrnGcAw— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 18, 2025
Mamata Banerjee’s uncalled-for attack on the Maha Kumbh is the first sign of her imminent defeat in 2026. She is extremely nervous after Arvind Kejriwal’s complete decimation in Delhi.Last time, like Kejriwal, she lost her election from Nandigram. This time, she fears the worst.— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 18, 2025
In response, Banerjee has questioned the BJP’s attempts to link her with terrorists and accused the party of hypocrisy, highlighting their alleged reliance on Muslim support during elections. Speaking in the Bengal Assembly, Banerjee said she will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising the issue of BJP Bengal leaders accusing her of having links with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
She also defended her stance on the Kumbh Mela, saying that she was merely criticising the arrangements at the spiritual gathering, specifically the VIP treatment and the mishandling of dead bodies arriving in Bengal without proper documentation.
