WB Govt Remained A Mute Spectator When 'Ram Bhakts' Were Attacked: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday condemned the violence during a Ram Navami procession in West Bengal and hit out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that her government remained 바카라�a mute spectator바카라� when devotees of Lord Ram were attacked and injured.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister termed the violence and the state government's response to it "shameful" and demanded that action be taken against those involved in it.

Violence broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession in the Kazipara area of Howrah on Thursday evening. Several vehicles, including some belonging to the police, were torched and some shops ransacked during the violence.

The West Bengal chief minister on Friday claimed that the BJP, along with other right-wing organisations, was responsible for the violence.

Hitting back at her, Thakur said, 바카라�Pelting of stones, arson, hurling of bombs -- all these have become common in Bengal.바카라�

바카라�The way journalists were attacked and stones were pelted on those taking out the Ram Navami procession, nothing could be more shameful than this,바카라� he told reporters.

Claiming that some journalists were also attacked and injured during the violence, the Union minister questioned the silence of those who often advocate for press freedom. 

바카라�Attack on journalists cannot be tolerated. But why are those who talk about press freedom silent,바카라� the minister asked.

Thakur, a senior BJP leader, said it is the responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order. West Bengal is governed by the Trinamool Congress.

"When even journalists become victims of violence and the government of the state remains a mute spectator, no matter how much it is condemned, it would always remain inadequate,바카라� he added.

"It is not right if the state governments remain silent when stones are pelted on Ram bhakts and they are injured,바카라� the minister said.

-With PTI Input