BJP mixing religion, politics with ‘Jai Sri Ram’ slogan: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the BJP was mixing religion with politics by repeatedly using the “Jai Sri Ram” phrase.

“Jai Sia Ram, Jai Ram ji ki, Ram naam Satya hai etc have religious and social connotations. We respect these sentiments. But BJP is using religious slogan Jai Sri Ram as their party slogan in a misconceived manner by way of mixing religion with politics (sic),” she said in a Facebook post.

Ms Banerjee said she had no problem regarding any particular slogan being used in political rallies or events of a party. “We do not respect this forcible enforcement of political slogans on others...,” she said.    

“This is a deliberate attempt to sell hatred ideology through vandalism and violence, which we must oppose together,” Ms Banerjee wrote.

Meanwhile, taking on the chief minister over her outlook to chanting of this slogan, Delhi BJP leaders sent Lord Ram photoframe and postcards to her.

Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga said our postcard campaign, which started during Lok Sabha elections, will keep on going till the time Mamata Didi is  annoyed with the words  Jai Shri Ram.

In order to clear away the effect of bad spirits on TMC supremo Ms  Banerjee, Praveen Shankar Kapoor spokesperson of Delhi BJP unit, has ordered Lord Ram Darbar photoframe on Amazon for Ms Banerjee.

Mr Kapoor said the effect of bad spirits has gone up to an extent that now a mere chanting of Jai Shri Ram in front of you provokes you to shout. The visuals showing your reaction recently at 24 Pargana district was similar to what we see at times at Mehndipur Balaji where people with effects of evil spirits are brought for treatment. It will also further make her follow the righteous path of Ram Rajya in public service.

Citing example of Mahtma Gandhi he said, even the Father of the Nation too cherished Lord Ram’s bhajans, took his name regularly, spoke of Ram Rajya and his last two words were also Hey Ram.

Hitting out at Ms Banerjee, Mr Kapoor added, “You need to come out of the fear phobia of Hindu backlash created by evil spirits which have settled in you due to excessive indulgence in other religion’s activities.”