 "Devotees attacked, vehicles damaged? The row over alleged violence at Ram Navami rally in Kolkata")
A row has broken out after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that Hindu devotees taking part in a Ram Navami procession in Kolkata were attacked on Sunday.
The procession was passing through the Park Circus Seven Point area when unidentified individuals allegedly targeted it, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar claimed.
The BJP said that several devotees were attacked and several vehicles damaged during the incident.
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In response, Kolkata Police said no permission had been granted for a rally in that area and clarified that no Ram Navami procession had taken place there.
In this story, we take a look at what the BJP has alleged, how Kolkata Police responded, and how Ram Navami was observed across West Bengal.
Were Hindus attacked during Ram Navami procession in Kolkata?
Sukanta Majumdar has alleged that Hindu devotees were “savagely attacked” at Kolkata’s Park Circus Seven Point area while returning from a Ram Navami procession.
The West Bengal unit of the BJP also shared footage of the alleged violence, accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of failing to prevent “targeted violence” against Hindus in the state.
The party also claimed that despite a heavy police presence, no steps were taken to stop the attackers.
Mamata Banerjee’s long-standing wish seems to have come true. In the heart of Kolkata—at Park Circus—vehicles belonging to Ram Navami devotees were attacked and vandalized during a religious procession.
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 6, 2025
Despite a heavy police presence, no action was taken. Just last Friday, at… pic.twitter.com/h576UZ296i
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Just last Friday, at the same location, members of the Muslim community protested against the Waqf Bill, bringing the city to a halt. They burned tyres on the roads and paralysed normal life—yet again, without any intervention from law enforcement. Today, Hindus have once again been targeted—and once again, the police chose silence,” the party said on X.
Majumdar also criticised the TMC government and vowed that next year’s Ram Navami procession through Park Circus would be even “bigger” and “mightier.”
He said, “Stones rained down on vehicles just for carrying saffron flags. Windscreens shattered. Chaos unleashed. This wasn’t random—it was targeted violence. And where was the police? Right there. Watching. Silent. Spineless.”
As the Ram Navami procession returned, Hindu devotees were savagely attacked in Kolkata’s Park Circus Seven Point area. Stones rained down on vehicles just for carrying saffron flags. Windshields shattered. Chaos unleashed. This wasn’t random—it was targeted violence. And where… pic.twitter.com/Ed74Xbi2K6
— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) April 6, 2025
“This cowardly inaction proves ONE thing: the roar of united Bengali Hindus during Ram Navami has shaken the system. Mamata’s pampered ‘Shanti Vahini’ isn’t peaceful—they’re panicked. Rattled. Terrified,” Majumdar added.
Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of using religious festivals like Ram Navami to polarise voters ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
“We believe in the peaceful coexistence of all communities, castes and creeds. While we support participating in every festival, we are firmly against creating disturbances in the name of religion,” he said, alleging that the BJP has been attempting to incite unrest in the name of celebration.
Kolkata Police responds to the claims
In a statement posted on X, Kolkata Police said no permission had been granted for any rally in the locality. The police also clarified that no such Ram Navami procession took place there
They also urged people not to believe or spread unverified information.
With reference to an alleged incident at Park Circus, it is clarified that no permission was taken for any procession, nor did any such movement occur in the area. Upon receiving information about damage to a vehicle, police intervened promptly to restore order. A case is being…
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) April 6, 2025
“With reference to an alleged incident at Park Circus, it is clarified that no permission was taken for any procession, nor did any such movement occur in the area. Upon receiving information about damage to a vehicle, police intervened promptly to restore order. A case is being registered to investigate the matter. Public is advised not to heed any rumours,” the police said.
How Ram Navami was celebrated in West Bengal
Ram Navami was celebrated across the state with several rallies and processions held under tight security.
According to police officials, the celebrations went off peacefully throughout the state on Sunday, with no incidents reported.
Festivities began early in the day with colourful processions, chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, and enthusiastic expressions of devotion. Thousands of worshippers took to the streets across West Bengal, waving saffron flags, playing devotional music, and featuring elaborate tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
In Bardhaman district, as well as in Kakinara and Barasat in North 24 Parganas, armed rallies with swords and maces were carried out, though no disturbances were reported.
Hindu groups said over 2,000 Ram Navami rallies were held in the state, including more than 60 in Kolkata.
Nearly 6,000 police personnel were on duty, with drone surveillance, CCTV coverage, and rapid response teams stationed at key spots.
With previous instances of communal tension and recent attacks on Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh still fresh in memory, the administration implemented special security measures to ensure calm.
In Malda, a minority-dominated district, the festival saw a touching gesture of unity as members of the Muslim community joined their Hindu neighbours in the celebrations.
#WATCH | West Bengal | People from the Muslim community shower flower petals and distribute water bottles to the people at a yatra taken out in Siliguri on the occasion of Ram Navami pic.twitter.com/G11vb0jDhz
— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2025
Senior TMC figures, including veteran MP Sougata Roy and Baranagar MLA Sayantika Bandopadhyay, were also present at Ram Navami rallies.
Posting on X in the morning, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her wishes for the festival while urging peace. “Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. I appeal to all to maintain and uphold the values of peace, prosperity and development of all. I wish the celebration of the Ram Navami all success, in a peaceful manner.”
With inputs from agencies
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