The Calcutta High Court expressed strong displeasure over the communal violence that erupted during the recent Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
The court stated that if people are unable to celebrate a religious occasion peacefully for even 8 hours, then they do not deserve to elect their representatives to Parliament.
The Chief Justice remarked, “If people can’t live in peace and harmony, we will countermand the elections….If two sets of people are fighting like this despite the model code of conduct in place, they don’t require an elected representative.”
The court questioned the state government on the timeline of events and asked who had triggered the clashes, suggesting that outsiders may have been involved. The judges noted that while there were no incident in Kolkata during the 33 Ram Navami programs held, the violence erupted in Murshidabad.
The Calcutta High Court indicated that it will recommend to the Election Commission of India to defer the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to May 13 in the Berhampore constituency of Murshidabad district, given the communal tensions in the region.
Concerns Raised by the Court
- The court expressed strong displeasure over the communal clashes that erupted during the Ram Navami celebrations, stating that if people cannot celebrate a religious occasion peacefully for even 8 hours, they do not deserve to elect their representatives.
- The Chief Justice questioned the ability of the people in the region to live in peace and harmony, suggesting that if they continue to fight like this despite the model code of conduct being in place, they do not require a elected representative.
Questioning the State Government
- The court questioned the state government on the timeline of events and asked who had triggered the clashes, hinting that outsiders may have been involved.
- The judges noted that while there were no incidents in Kalkata during the 33 Ram Navami programs held, the violence erupted specifically in Murshidabad district.
Potential Deferment of Elections
- Considering the communal tensions in the region, the Calcutta High Court indicated that it will recommend to the Election Commission of India to defer the Lok Sabha polls scheduled for May 13 in the Berhampore constituency of Murshidabad district.
Broader Implications
The court’ s strong remarks and potential recommendation to defer elections highlights the gravity of the situation and the concerns about the ability of the of the people in the region to participate in the democratic process peacefully.
Ram Navami celebration
- Twinkle Teaching Resources – Twinkle offers curated teaching resources related to Rama Navami. You can visit their website to access educational materials and information about the festivel.
- Brandeis University – Guide to Religious Observances – The Center for Spiritual Life at Brandeis University provides a guide to Ram Navami, explaining the significance of the festival and its religious observances. This resource offers insights into the celebration of Lord Rama’s birth and associated rituals.
- LinkedIn Post by Management Development Institute Murshidabad – The post on LinkedIn by MDI Murshidabad highlights the celebration of Rama Navami as a Hindu festival to honer the birth of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. This post may provide additional cultural and religious context to the festival
These sources can offer a deeper understanding of the traditions, rituals, and cultural significance of Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad, West Bengal.