In a huge setback to the BJP ahead of the assembly polls in West Bengal, the saffron party is facing considerable heat after its state chief Dilip Ghosh was caught on camera ‘insulting’ Goddess Durga during an event organised by a TV channel.
In a viral video, BJP’s Bengal chief was seen saying, “Bhagwan Ram was a king. Some believe he was an incarnation. And you will get to know his 14 ancestors. Will you get the same for Durga?”
Ghosh did not stop here as he continued, “Gandhiji envisaged Ram Rajya. Durga pata nahi kahan se aa jaate hain. (Don’t know from where Durga comes into the picture).”
The ruling Trinamool Congress wasted no time in going for the jugular accusing the BJP of insulting Durga. TMC leader Madan Mitra, also a former cabinet colleague of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, tweeted, “Dilip Ghosh must be reminded his Ramayana. Lord Ram worshipped Ma Durga before the final battle. The very same Ma Durga who was disrespected by Dilip Ghosh while trying to prove the superiority of Lord Ram. .”
Sharing the video clip of Ghosh’s controversial statement on Durga, the ruling TMC tweeted, “Unimaginable! Sitting on the sacred soil of Bengal @DilipGhoshBJP Babu has insulted our goddess Durga! Goddess Durga is our mother, our strength, our inspiration! Those who claim to be the protectors and supporters of Hinduism are now insulting Goddess Durga.”
অভাবনীয়!
বাংলার পবিত্র মাটিতে বসে @DilipGhoshBJP বাবু আমাদের দেবী দুর্গাকে অপমান করেছেন!
দেবী দুর্গা আমাদের মা, আমাদের শক্তি, আমাদের অনুপ্রেরণা!
যাঁরা নিজেদের হিন্দু ধর্মের রক্ষক ও সমর্থক বলে দাবি করেন, তাঁরাই এখন দেবী দুর্গার অবমাননা করছেন।#BJPInsultsMaaDurga pic.twitter.com/MPl8cj2zN2
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) February 12, 2021
On Twitter, angry Bengalis trended hashtag #BJPInsultsMaaDurga as they slammed the BJP for Ghosh’s disparaging remarks for Durga.
#BJPInsultsMaaDurga
Bjp believes in the superiority of men over women pic.twitter.com/UY4s3P2HvJ— Sony yumnamcha (@yumsonysingh) February 13, 2021
#BJPInsultsMaaDurga Shame on BJP this is real side of bjp pic.twitter.com/WeF8iYM09o
— Rajeev Kumar Singh (@RajeevK85481947) February 13, 2021
Bengal Rejects BJPigs!#GoBackModi #BJPInsultsMaaDurga pic.twitter.com/fj4wd46JmJ
— Banglar Energy Mamata Banerjee (@EnergyMamata) February 13, 2021
Dilip Ghosh today openly disrespected Maa Durga on National Television by saying “Yeh Durga Kaha Se Ayi” is not only shocking but proves his disconnect with the culture of Bengal. pic.twitter.com/emLCoGRpCa
— Rb Aitc (Barasat) (@BarasatRb) February 13, 2021
Bengal goes to assembly polls in April-May this year with the BJP making desperate attempts to wrest power from the TMC. With Ghosh being accused of insulting Durga, the Hindutva party may have to pay a heavy price for hurting the sentiments of Bengalis.