Don't mix politics and religion: Mamata to BJP

Shortly before leaving for Delhi to attend the dinner and lunch to be hosted by the President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honour of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, chief minister Mamata Banerjee came down heavily on BJP and said it did not know about Indian culture and tradition.

Renewing her attack on the BJP for "mixing politics and religion", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the party of trying to incite communal tension in the state and called upon the people to remain alert.

"BJP is trying to disturb the communal harmony in the state. Who are they to decide what a person will eat or wear? Every religion has its own rituals and everyone has the right to perform rituals according to his or her belief.

"I don't believe in creating divisions in the name of religion. I was born in a Hindu family, but does that mean I will not participate in religious functions of Sikhs, Muslims or Christians? I will participate in these functions a hundred times. If you have the power, stop me," she told a gathering here on the occasion of the creation of the new Burdwan West district.

Referring to the RSS-BJP-backed Ram Navami processions in which arms were allegedly carried, Banerjee said, "If you carry arms in processions without permission, the law will not allow it. I will not give permission to such programmes.

"We do not indulge in the politics of division and we will not tolerate a communal riot in Bengal." The chief minister defended the police action against state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh for brandishing a sword at a Ram Navami function in Kharagpur, saying no one can organise such an event without permission.

She said on Thursday the way BJP had carried out Ram Navami procession it appeared as if they had some sort of monopoly over Lord Rama.

The police had on Thursday filed cases under non-bailable sections against Ghosh.

Over 200 processions were taken out across Bengal on Tuesday under the banner of Rama Navami Udjapan Samity to ostensibly 'unite the Hindus'. People, including students and minors were seen participating with swords and knives in some of the processions.