As West Bengal gears up for the 2025 Ram Navami celebrations, political tensions have once again taken center stage with a war of words erupting between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Accusations of communal provocation and attempts to exploit religious sentiments for political mileage have escalated just days ahead of the festival. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul has raised serious allegations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of attempting to provoke communal violence during Ram Navami to later shift blame onto the Hindu community. “Mamata Banerjee will try to incite communal violence during Ram Navami and then blame Hindus. I urge Hindus not to fall into this trap and conduct rallies peacefully,” Paul said while speaking to reporters.
 

She further claimed that certain sections of the Muslim community feel emboldened under Mamata Banerjee’s rule, believing they can act with impunity due to perceived political protection. According to her, the law enforcement machinery in the state is deliberately inactive when it comes to handling sensitive religious situations involving minority groups, thereby threatening communal harmony. These remarks have intensified the already volatile political climate in the state, with TMC leaders swiftly hitting back. Senior TMC leader Jay Prakash Majumdar dismissed the BJP’s claims as politically motivated and aimed at destabilizing peace in Bengal. He turned the tables by accusing BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari of being the actual instigator of potential violence.
 

“If the BJP is already predicting riots, the question is—who is actually planning them? Suvendu Adhikari is the one trying to incite unrest. If anything happens, he should be arrested,” Majumdar said. He further criticized the BJP for hypocrisy, highlighting the contrast between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and the divisive statements allegedly being made by the party’s state leadership. The clash between the two political rivals comes at a time when the state has witnessed several episodes of communal tension during religious festivals in the past. Ram Navami, which is celebrated with large processions, often becomes a flashpoint for political confrontation in Bengal, particularly in areas with a history of religious friction.
 

Both parties have accused each other of using religious identity as a political tool, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and fear among citizens. While BJP leaders are urging Hindu communities to stay vigilant and peaceful, the TMC has been accusing the BJP of deliberately stoking fear to polarize voters ahead of future elections. Despite repeated assurances from both parties that peace must be maintained, the verbal sparring suggests that the situation on the ground remains fragile. Law enforcement agencies are reportedly on high alert to prevent any escalation, especially in districts that have seen communal flare-ups in previous years. With Ram Navami drawing near, political observers are watching closely to see whether these tensions translate into street-level conflicts or if they remain confined to political rhetoric. The unfolding situation serves as a reminder of the deeply intertwined nature of religion and politics in the region, where festivals often double as stages for ideological and electoral battles. As the festival approaches, all eyes will be on how the state administration handles public processions and maintains law and order. With both the TMC and BJP preparing to mobilize their support bases, the responsibility of ensuring peaceful celebrations now rests heavily on Bengal’s law enforcement and civil administration.