Kolkata: West Bengal has a history of clashes during Ram Navami. There have been several incidents of communal violence during Ram Navami processions during the last few years in the state.
So much so that security concerns have raised questions over whether IPL matches can be organised on that day at Kolkata.
Last year, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) versus Rajasthan Royals game, scheduled on Ram Navami day, had to be rescheduled.
This season, too, KKR are scheduled to play on Ram Navami — which falls on April 6 – against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Eden Gardens.
And once again, there are doubts over the match going ahead on that day.
The situation further gets heated up with politicians joining the fray.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, announced that more than 20,000 processions will take place across West Bengal on Ram Navami, reported PTI.
“Over one crore Hindus will be involved in these processions,” Adhikari said, adding that it will be a moment of Hindu awakening in Bengal.
Adhikari alleged that Kolkata Police and chief minister Mamata Banerjee could orchestrate problems on that day.
The Trinamool Congress responded by accusing BJP of spreading a divisive narrative.
Not taking any chances, Kolkata Police have requested the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to reschedule the KKR vs LSG match on April 6, citing heavy security deployment across the city for Ram Navami celebrations.
“We have sent a letter to CAB requesting them to reschedule the IPL match on April 6, as there will be heavy security deployment across the city for Ram Navami celebrations. We are yet to receive any response,” said a senior Kolkata Police officer.
CAB president Snehasish Ganguly confirmed that authorities had not yet given their approval for the match.
“Police have categorically said they won’t be able to provide adequate security. If there’s no police protection, accommodating a 65,000-strong crowd becomes impossible,” Ganguly said.
The CAB has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about the situation, but no decision has been taken yet.
