Security heightened in West Bengal ahead of Ram Navami celebrations

The West Bengal government is taking extensive measures to ensure that Ram Navami celebrations on Sunday remain peaceful. On Saturday, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma toured various parts of the city to oversee security preparations for the upcoming festivities.

 

“We encourage everyone to celebrate, but it must not cause discomfort to others,” CP Verma told reporters. He also noted that by Saturday afternoon, the police had received 80 requests for permission to organise processions in the city.

 

Alongside the BJP and other Hindutva groups, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) is also set to actively participate in Ram Navami events. Hundreds of rallies have been scheduled across the state.

 

For the last 10 years or so, Ram Navami in West Bengal has often been marred by communal tensions and sporadic violence. War of words between the TMC and BJP leading up to the festival on Sunday has created a similar air of unease.

 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed for calm and urged citizens to celebrate peacefully. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has called for 1.5 crore Hindus to take to the streets on Sunday to "peacefully demonstrate Hindu strength."

 

To prevent any disturbances amid the charged atmosphere, the state government has deployed 29 IPS officers—holding ranks such as assistant commissioners, joint commissioners, and deputy commissioners—on special duty across West Bengal from Saturday through Monday.

 

Reportedly, Kolkata CP Manoj Verma has issued clear instructions to all police stations in the city that motorbike rallies will not be permitted during Ram Navami processions, and any violations will lead to legal consequences. The use of DJ systems has also been banned during the rallies.

 

As part of the preventive measures, organisers have been summoned to local police stations and briefed on the Calcutta High Court's guidelines, which must be strictly followed during all processions. “We’re deploying more than enough force. We have talked with all stakeholders and meetings have been held at both police station and divisional levels,” CP Verma assured.

India