From Pujas to Picnics: A Tapestry of Reactions to Ayodhya Ram Mandir Consecration in Bengal

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the dedication of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday, leaders in Bengal responded in many ways, spanning political divides and beliefs. On this day, the leaders of Bengal, both north and south, are followed by The Telegraph.

Who: Siliguri Municipal Corporation Mayor Gautam Deb

What he carried out: Known for his love of singing, Deb sang a bhajan at home to the accompaniment of the harmonium, "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram." "This bhajan, which was sung by Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, is very essential for each of us to preserve the social cohesion and harmony of our nation today. This bhajan discusses "Ishwar" and "Allah," which is a timeless lesson for our nation. I felt compelled to begin my day with the music today. It's a very motivational song," Deb said.

Who: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration CEO Anit Thapa

What he did: On Monday, Thapa prayed to Sai Baba and Lord Ram at his Siliguri home. Thapa is one of Sai Baba's disciples. "Congratulations and best wishes to the Indian people on this significant occasion. May the idea of Ram Rajya come to pass," Thapa said.

Who: India's G20 Presidency main coordinator, Harshvardhan Shringla

What he did: At his ancestral home in Pradhan Nagar, Siliguri, Shringla celebrated the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir with a magnificent puja that included a yagna. "This is the greatest occasion ever, and it is an honor to celebrate this historic day with our community here," Shringla said.
Following the ceremonies, each attendee was individually greeted by Shringla.

Following the live broadcast of the ritual in Ayodhya, Shringla coordinated the distribution of prasad to the whole community, with an emphasis on the impoverished.

Who: Nisith Pramanik, Cooch Behar MP and Union minister of state for home affairs

What he did: On Monday, Pramanik dedicated a Ram temple that had been constructed in the Cooch Behar neighborhood of Khelarmath-Chararkuthi.

According to the locals, the temple was constructed on land that was given by two local households. The temple, which was constructed using sandstones transported from Rajasthan, was funded by Pramanik.

Later that day, in the Mathabhanga subdivision of the district, in the Hospital More area of Ghoksadanga, he placed the foundation stone for a second temple of a similar design. According to BJP district general secretary Biraj Basu, "the MP has decided to build a Ram temple in each of the seven Assembly segments of his Lok Sabha seat (Cooch Behar) from his personal funds."

Who: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista

What he did: In honor of the event, Bista prayed at a number of Siliguri temples, including the Shri Krishna Pranami Mandir, ISKCON Mandir, Shiv Mandir, Shri Shyam Mandir, Anandamayee Kali Mandir, Shri Ram Thakur Mandir, Hanuman Mandir, and Kali Mandir.

"Today, with the consecration of the Bhagwan Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, will be marked as a red letter day in the history of Bharatvarsha," said Bista.

Who: Ajoy Edwards, head of the Hamro Party and GTA's opposition leader.

What he did: To commemorate the day, Edwards, a Christian by religion who is presently traveling with Rahul Gandhi on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, shared a statement on social media.

"On this historic day, I send my sincere wishes, full of love, kindness, and compassion, to all my Hindu friends in the Darjeeling Hills, in India, and throughout the globe. Let us keep in mind that every heart is touched by Lord Rama's lessons of responsibility, love, compassion, and forgiveness, as the physical temple where he was born is dedicated today.

"May the spirit of Ram, which embodies Love, remain undivided by narrow-mindedness and petty politics," Edwards said.
Jai, Lord Ram! Jai Ram Ji Ki! "Jai Siya Ram!"

Who: Jalpaiguri Municipality Vice-Chairman Saikat Chatterjee

What he did: At Thana More in Jalpaiguri town, Chatterjee prepared a dais under the auspices of Jalpaiguri Zilla Nagarik Mancha and conducted pujas for a number of Hindu deities, but not Ram. The puja was to be performed by priests.

"BJP is using the Ram temple for political purposes. We carried out the puja to spread the message of inclusivity, peace, and genuine Hinduism," he said.

Who: Bhatpara, North 24th-born Trinamul leader Priyanko Pandey-Parganas

What he did: On Monday, Pandey planned a special prayer for Lord Ram. Anil Kumar, an artist from Bhagalpur, was asked by the husband of Jyoti Pandey, a Trinamul councillor from ward 3 in Bhatpara, to use eight lakh diyas to make a 130-foot portrait of Lord Ram. Pandey said, seemingly unfazed by his party's choice to abstain from the opening of the Ayodhya temple: "This programme has nothing to do with the one in Ayodhya. The worship of Lord Ram has no political overtones. All of us pray for him. It is an issue of individual religion."

Who: North 24 Basirhat municipality chairman Aditi Mitra, head of Trinamul-Parganas

What she did: In protest against the "Centre-sponsored" opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Aditi and her husband Surajit Mitra, along with other Trinamul activists, organized a picnic with members of several religious groups. The Ichhamati River bank served as the location for the picnic.

"The BJP is attempting to gain political mileage ahead of the Lok Sabha polls by using religion," Surajit said. We sought to use this picnic to spread a message of social and religious peace since we are against it. Religion does not advocate prejudice, but humanism."