The BJP has criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for increasing allowances to maulvis, or Muslim clerics. The party claimed that this move aimed to appease the minority community before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections next year.
The Chief Minister declared that her government would raise the monthly allowances of imams, muezzins, and purohits, despite encountering a shortage of funds in the state exchequer.
The Chief Minister made these announcements while addressing a conference of imams and muezzins in Kolkata. She stated that imams would now receive a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000, muezzins Rs 1,500, and purohits Rs 1,500 per month.
“As long as I am alive and my party is in power, I will be there for everyone and work for all communities. Never think that I have forgotten you,” she said.
The BJP said that the move was a waste of taxpayers’ money. It also accused Banerjee of trying to divide people on religious lines.
“The TMC Government has failed to bring in industries and provide jobs. She is making such promises to incite communal tension. She is misguiding the people to get votes,” BJP’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari told media persons.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shantanu Thakur said that during elections she recalls so many things. He also taunted her saying sometimes she breaks her leg or sometimes her hands. He further moved on to say that the announcement of a hike in stipends was just for the votes.
“During elections, she will recall so many things. Sometimes she breaks her legs, sometimes her hand. This is just for votes nothing else…They will say so many things for votes. They cannot win, so they will just say all these things. They themselves will create riots and blame BJP,” said Shantanu Thakur.
Kunal Ghosh, the chief spokesperson of the Trinamool Congress, defended the State Government, saying that the Government provides financial assistance to maulvis and imams who are engaged in religious activities. He said that the allowances are also given to priests of other religions.
The BJP also criticized the State Government for its handling of the recent communal violence in the State. It accused the Government of not doing enough to protect the minority community.
Mamata Banerjee said that religious institutions should stay away from politics, citing the example of Belur Math of the Ramakrishna Mission which was set up by Swami Vivekananda.
