Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, has made a significant move by declaring Ram Navami a public holiday. The notification, issued on Saturday, states, “In continuation to this Department Notification No. 6112-F(P2) dated 09/11/2023, the Governor is pleased to declare 17th April 2024 (Wednesday) as a Public Holiday on the occasion of ‘Ram Navami’ under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.”
This announcement holds particular importance as the state has experienced instances of violence during Ram Navami celebrations in the past. Traditionally, Durga Puja and Kali Puja have been significant public holidays in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress government’s decision has sparked reactions from its primary rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), especially as it comes just days before Mamata’s party begins its campaign for the General Elections.
Notably, Mamata Banerjee, often associated with opposing the slogan ‘Jai Shree Ram,’ has designated Ram Navami (17th Apr) as a public holiday in West Bengal. This move has been seen by some as an attempt to change her perceived anti-Hindu image. The BJP has called for ensuring the safety of Ram Navami processions and questioned Mamata’s commitment to this.
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, welcomed the announcement, noting, “Time is changing! This is the first time that the state government has declared a holiday in honour of the revered Purushottam Sri Ramachandra on the Navami Tithi of Shuklapaksha of Chaitra month. I had criticized the state government for not giving a holiday on Ram Navami in January, today the state government was forced to declare a holiday.”
Earlier this year, a political controversy arose between the TMC and the BJP when the state government released the list of public holidays. Suvendu Adhikari accused the Mamata Banerjee government of “appeasement politics,” questioning the absence of holidays for prominent Hindu festivals like Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami while declaring a holiday for ‘Shab-e-Barat.’
