MAY 20, 2024: Swami Pradiptananda of Bharat Sevashram Sangha (BSS) has sent a legal notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, demanding an unconditional apology within 48 hours. This action follows Banerjee’s recent public remarks implicating a section of monks, including Pradiptananda, in campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Banerjee, addressing a rally in Hooghly on Saturday, expressed her respect for monks but singled out Kartick Maharaj, known as Swami Pradiptananda, accusing him of political involvement. She alleged that Pradiptananda, a prominent figure in BSS, was preventing TMC election agents from entering polling booths, thereby directly participating in politics.

Pradiptananda, through his counsel Billwadal Bhattacharyya, refuted these allegations and demanded an immediate public apology from Banerjee. The legal notice emphasized that failure to comply would be taken as an intent to defame Pradiptananda maliciously, reserving the right to initiate criminal proceedings against the Chief Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also weighed in on the controversy, accusing Banerjee of maligning revered organizations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), and BSS to secure votes from Muslim communities. At a rally in Bankura, Modi condemned Banerjee’s statements, framing them as an insult to Bengal’s heritage and culture and urging voters to respond to what he described as the TMC’s appeasement politics.

The incident has heightened political tensions in West Bengal, with accusations of religious and cultural disrespect becoming a focal point in the ongoing electoral battle. As the deadline for Banerjee’s response approaches, the political landscape remains volatile, with potential legal and electoral repercussions.