Mamata sacrificing national interest: VHP

Kolkata, July 8 (IANS) Lashing out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her "appeasement politics" and "hatred" for every organisation working to uphold India's interest, the VHP on Monday alleged she was trying to asacrifice the interest of the nation and the society.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad international Joint General Secretary Surendra Kumar Jain's angry remarks came days after Banerjee cited the report of a US agency which purportedly claimed that organisations like the VHP and Bajrang Dal were "militant religious organisations".

"We are not a militant organisation. The report she has quoted has no credibility even within the US. Nobody gives any credence to that organisation or their reports," Jain told IANS.

Dripping sarcasm, the former Bajrang Dal chief said Banerjee might someday cite reports from some madrasas "giving character certificates" to various Hindu organisations. "It is highly unacceptable," he said.

Jain also attacked Banerjee for dismissing the Centre's contention that madrasas in Burdwan and Murshidabad districts were being used for radicalisation and recruitment of militants, noting that erstwhile Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had said some madrasas are involved in anti-national activities.

In contrast, Banerjee was "not at all bothered" with such madrasas and was merely trying to "deceive Hindu society" by participating in Jagannath Yatra, he said.

Banerjee had inaugurated the chariot festival or Rath Yatras in Kolkata - organised by ISKCON - and in Hooghly district on July 4.

Charging Banerjee with appeasing a particular community, Jain said: "She wants to sacrifice the interest of the nation and the society. The Hindu society will not accept it, and she'll have to bear great loss in the near future if she doesn't mend her ways."

Asked about the number of incidents in various parts of the country where people were allegedly beaten up for not chanting "Jai Shri Ram", Jain said the accusations were "baseless".

"Now it has been established all these things are false. At six places, this thing has been raised. All of them were proved to be wrong. At no place in the country has any person been beaten up for not saying 'Jai Shri Ram'," he said.

On Banerjee angrily retorting on a number of occasions when the BJP activists raised the "Jai Shri Ram" slogan in her close proximity, Jain said: "Mamata is angry with the army. Mamata is angry with Narendra Modi. She earlier said she does not accept him as Prime Minister.

"She is angry with everyone, but not with Bangladeshis, Rohingyas and terrorists and Madrasas. This proves she loves anti-nationals and she hates every authority or organisation which is working to uphold India's interests," he alleged.