New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday welcomed the West Bengal government’s announcement of a complete ban on liquor sales across the state on ‘Maha Ashtami’ during the Durga Puja festival, while the Congress called it an attempt by the ruling government to divert attention from issues like “lawlessness”.

Earlier, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that since the festival is the state’s religious tradition, liquor will not be available even in the pubs and bars on October 19, Maha Ashtami.

Speaking to IANS, Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar said: “During the puja period, we need to exercise a bit of restraint because it is, after all, a sacred ritual. Therefore, the government has made a rule declaring a one-day ‘dry day’, especially on Ashtami as everyone offers floral tributes to the Goddess on that day.”

The Vishva Hindu Parishad National Spokesperson Shriraj Nair also welcomed the move, saying: “This was the demand of the Hindu community. The previous Trinamool Congress and Left governments had crushed the Hindu sentiments.”

Moreover, he accused the previous Bengal governments of turning the Hindu festival of Durga Puja into a “means of entertainment”.

Accusing former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to “forcefully make Durga Puja a secular festival”, he said: “Crushing the Hindu sentiments and insulting traditions and seers were normal during the earlier regime.”

Last year, Banerjee drew criticism after a Trinamool Congress leader sang a song referencing the Kaaba and Medina inside a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal while she clapped along.

Nair added: “Now a government which respects religious sentiments and traditions has come to power…nobody should have a problem with closing of liquor shops for one day.”

Backing the decision, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi said: “Durga Puja is the soul of Bengal. People from across the country visit Bengal for Durga Puja. The dignity of the festival is not enhanced by alcohol and noise.”

West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh said: “Just as the food should be pure, the environment should also be free from intoxicants. If people consume or use intoxicants, or drink alcohol during the time of worship, it could disrupt the arrangements. How will the police be able to manage such a large crowd? Therefore, some kind of restriction or regulation is necessary.”

However, Congress MP Imran Masood said that if such decisions are taken to target Muslims, “the community comprises of only 14 per cent of the country’s population while 82 per cent of the population are non-vegetarians”.

Congress leader Rakesh Sinha questioned, whether the move is only symbolic?

Further, he accused BJP of diverting attention from real issues under the “garb of religion”.

“In Bengal, the Opposition MPs as well as their party offices are not safe. Despite this the administration is silent. This means there is prevalence of ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bengal…so in order to divert attention from such issues, these topics are being brought in,” he told IANS.

–IANS

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