Kolkata: AVBP supporters defy ban to celebrate Ram Navami in Jadavpur University campus

As per a video that has now gone viral, students placed a clay idol of the Hindu deity on a temporary platform and performed the rituals on the campus,

Jadavpur University, located in south Kolkata and considered one of the iconic institutes in West Bengal, is largely known to be a stronghold of student wings affiliated to the Left forces.

JU denied permission

The university, earlier, denied permission to celebrate the celebrations of Hindu festival Ram Navami inside the campus.

"In the absence of a Vice Chancellor, it's not possible to give permission to organise Ram Navami inside the campus," the university said in a note as quoted by India Today.

In reaction, a student and one of the organisers, Somsurya Banerjee, said as quoted by ABP News, "Last year, we were initially granted permission, but it was later denied due to protests. This time, we have requested permission and are resolute in our decision."

Banerjee has questioned how the university can deny permission to Ram Navami celebrations while the Iftar party was being held just a few days ago.

Remaining firm in the decision to celebrate Ram Navami on April 6, the student said, "If people can celebrate Iftar inside the university, why can't we celebrate Ram Navami? We will take legal action and tackle anyone who tries to stop us."

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose removed Bhaskar Gupta as the JU VC over his alleged failure to control campus violence.

JU was rocked by arson, which took place on March 1 when Left and ultra-Left students protested and attempted to block the entry of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu into the campus.

One protester was seriously injured when he tried to stop Basu's car.

Soumyadeep Mahanto, an undergraduate student of the university, was arrested on March 12 for allegedly setting the office of a non-teaching employees' union on fire.

He was later named in the case over the alleged 'Azad Kashmir' graffiti, which was written on the JU campus.

He has been granted an interim bail.

Another undergraduate student named Souptik Chanda, who studies civil engineering, was also arrested in connection with the arson.

Nine First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered.

BJP top leaders participate in Ram Navami celebration

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from West Bengal took part in different Ram Navami processions across the state on Sunday.

BJP Bengal state President Sukanta Majumdar led a Ram Navami rally in Howrah, which received permission from the Calcutta High Court.

Earlier in a video message, he said: "A few million Hindus are expected to hit the road on Ram Navami. I would urge the state government to take steps so that it can be celebrated peacefully. Any attempts to forcefully halt the celebrations won’t be tolerated. Ram Navami celebrations will be held no matter what you do.”

Woman firebrand leader Locket Chatterjee also took part in a Ram Navami procession in Kolkata's NewTown area on a bike.

"People are on the roads to take part in the procession as we are celebrating Ram Navami. Ram is all over the country and in West Bengal. We don't need anyone's permission; only West Bengal is a place where we need permission to celebrate our religious festival. Police don't give permission; we always get permission from the court. The police are working here as the cadre and not the police," she said.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari participated in the foundation-laying ceremony of the Ram Mandir at Sonachuda in Nandigram.

In Bengal's Midnapore, former state president Dilip Ghosh took out a bike rally to mark the Ram Navami celebrations.

Meanwhile, with over 50 Ram Navami rallies planned in Kolkata on Sunday, including five large processions, police have demarcated routes and deployed heavy security cover, which will remain in place until April 7, media reports said.