Kolkata, 10 September (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday directed the police to take strict action after a picture of religious storyteller Dhirendra Shastri was allegedly burnt outside Bhawanipur police station. The Chief Minister raised the issue during his address in the Assembly and instructed the police to take necessary action against those involved.

Adhikari began his Assembly address by paying tribute to Thakur Panchanan Barma on his death anniversary. He also referred to his visit to the Kalighat temple, where he offered prayers, before speaking about ongoing religious events in the state and the arrangements being made by the government.

Referring to the ongoing religious festival at Tarapith, the Chief Minister said it was one of the major religious events in the state. He said the state government had made various arrangements for the festival and added that flowers had also been showered over the Tarapith temple from a government helicopter.

Responding to political remarks made by the Opposition in the Assembly, Adhikari also spoke about the colour saffron. Reacting to a remark by TMC MLA Akhruzzaman regarding his wearing saffron, he said saffron was not the property or exclusive identity of any particular political party. He criticised political comments targeting religious attire and the saffron colour.

The Chief Minister also referred to recent incidents of violence, including the killing of Sujit Mandal in Samserganj, Murshidabad, and criticised what he described as the politics of violence. However, no separate investigation or detailed government report on the incident was presented in the Assembly.

Referring to statements made by saints and religious figures, including storyteller Dhirendra Shastri, Adhikari said saints and seers were free to express their views on issues such as nationalism, a united India, tradition and culture. Whether to accept such views or not was an individual’s personal choice, he said.

Adhikari accused the Opposition of practising “appeasement politics” and claimed that this had led to a decline in its number of seats. He further claimed that his party would increase its tally after the upcoming Assembly by-elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh