Is Mamata Banerjee govt right in stopping Durga Puja immersion for Muharram?

Yet another controversy has rocked the Mamata Banerjee government. Her decision to stop Durga Puja immersion for a complete day to facilitate Muharram processions has raised familiar allegations about pandering to a certain community, of minority appeasement and of being unsympathetic to Hindus.

Outrage - Driven by political calculations

It's unmistakable that much of the battle and chatter on social media is guided by the political churn that is currently unfolding in the state. With Congress and Left in perennial decline, BJP is slowly emerging as the main opposition party, and many believe the party can take on TMC's virtual hegemony in the state in the future.

But, it is also about the sensitive but critical balancing of the fundamental right of people to practice their faith without infringing on other’s rights. In short, law-and-order issues can't be a casualty and hostage to one's right to practice religion. This is essentially the crux of the debate which needs to be addressed, regarding this one-day ban on idol immersion.

Didi's fear - A volatile Bengal

The Bengal government believes that with Muharram (October 1) falling a day after Dusshera, processions from both the communities, can lead to a potentially volatile situation. Mamata Banerjee in her speech on Wednesday, expressed concerns about the fragile peace currently ensued in Bengal. She said it is duty of all to ensure that harmony is maintained and advised all not to fall to any rumour-mongering on social media.

Didi's word of caution comes barely a month after Bengal hit the national headlines for a communal riot which broke out at Basirhat over a Facebook post about Prophet Mohammed. It took army deployment and strong administrative measures to bring the situation under control. Basirhat has followed the pattern of similar communal flare-ups in Kalichak in Malda, Dhulagarh and Chandannagar among others in the last couple of years. Hence the trepidation of the state government is understandable and in line with their policy over the last few years. Increasingly, Bengal has become a communal tinder-box waiting to explode and the government as of now has no definite policy to counter it.

Governance is the real casualty as political parties look to pander to their vote banks and indulge in selective outrage. The Bengal government too has also fallen into that trap, and that's the biggest reason why today it is not confident enough to hold simultaneous processions of two religions on the same day across the state.

Mamata's best laid plans can go awry

Last year too, Bengal government had stopped immersion on Dusshera owing to Muharram, but the Calcutta HC ordered that all residential pujas (which are not community-run pandals) can do their immersion on that day. So, the state government got a slap on their wrist but has followed the same road this year as well.

Mamata Banerjee is fully aware that her decision will be challenged in court but her hands are forced, as another riot especially near the capital, Kolkata can seriously upset her political calculations, closer to elections. Bengal is a state with nearly 30% Muslim population. In Kolkata too, there are several pockets with large population of Muslims like Park Circus, Khidderpore etc. These places also host a large number of Durga pandals, and often are examples of great communal harmony. The Pujas are held with active help from the local Muslim community. But the state government is wary that a few bad apples in the currently politically charged environment can mar the entire situation.

As of now TMC enjoys political support cutting across religious lines, but if the communal fault-lines sharpen, Mamata will be the biggest loser. That is the biggest reason behind this decision. It is guided by concerns of law and order but also cold political calculations.

U-17 World Cup around the corner

The Mamata government also can't afford any slip-up as the Under-17 World Cup matches in Kolkata are due to start from 6th October. The final match is also scheduled to be held in Kolkata, and any bad press can have negative repercussions for India in general and Bengal in particular.

Didi's dilemma and responsibility

The BJP has already raised the ante and is looking to leverage it on social media and also on the ground. BJP and RSS have decided to defy the ban. Didi has a dicey predicament now. To face the fire from the Right and live for another day or to ensure that Muharram procession and Durga idol immersion takes place simultaneously, and risk a law and order situation. She has chosen for the first option. Didi may give platitude about Bengal being the land of Rabindra and Najrul, but in reality, it is slowly getting divided along communal lines and Mamata is merely responding to the new normal.

However, she can't abdicate her responsibility in this. In the past, Muharram and Durga Puja celebrations have taken place together, without creating any ripples.

If Bengal police was in total control and completely immune to political pressure, one believes that this impasse wouldn't have ensued. For long, police have been conveniently allowed communal and anti-social elements to fester, as they did the biding of their political masters.  You reap, what you sow. Nowhere is the proverb, more apt than in Bengal.