BJP's West Bengal unit has urged the Mamata Banerjee-led state government to revoke lockdown restrictions imposed on August 5 as it coincides with the Ram temple bhoomi poojan in Ayodhya.
The West Bengal government has been imposing biweekly lockdowns since last month to keep the spread of COVID-19 under control. In August, the statewide lockdown will be observed on seven non-consecutive days, the first of which coincides with the bhoomi poojan of the Ram Mandir.
The biweekly lockdown dates decided by the Bengal government have been changed in the past to ensure they do not coincide with Bakr-Eid, Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day, and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
With that in mind, Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to reconsider enforcing a lockdown on August 5, Hindustan Times has reported.
He said, "The West Bengal government had earlier changed the dates four times. There is no harm if it is changed once more. It is a historic and proud day. The state government should not create an environment in which people cannot celebrate the occasion."
Earlier, the state BJP leaders had accused the Bengal government of “appeasement” for changing lockdown dates in August at least thrice.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sougata Roy has dubbed the state BJP's request as “dirty politics”. Ruling out the need for withdrawing the lockdown order, he said, "People can watch bhoomi poojan on television from home and there is no need to step out to celebrate."
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