FIR lodged against BJP Bengal president Dilip Ghosh for leading Ram Navami rally with 'deadly' weapons

Hours after state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated to take legal action against the rallies' organizers from an administrative meeting in Purulia district, Kharagpur Town Police Station's police registered the FIR against Ghosh on suo motto basis.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right wing organisation and the ideological mentor of the BJP, and its several sister organizations, including Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Hindu Samhati, held more than 150 rallies across West Bengal, 39 out of which were organized in Kolkata, to celebrate Ram Navami (A spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Rama).

Activists of these Hindu organizations, including school children, were seen walking with sharp weapons in those rallies.

Meanwhile, a local organization, Bharat Mata Samiti, had called for a Ram Navami rally at Kharagpur on Wednesday where Dilip Ghosh and chairman of TMC-ruled Kharagpur Municipality, Pradeep Sarkar, were present.

"A rally was organized at Kharagpur yesterday where deadly weapons were carried in public. As we are considering the activity a cognizable offence and violation of law, an FIR has been lodged against those, who walked in the rally with weapons," a senior official of West Bengal Police told IBNS.

According to police officials, charges under several non-bailable IPC and Arms Act sections have been slapped on Ghosh.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police have registered cases against the organizers of Ram Navami rallies in the city, where 'deadly' sharp weapons were carried publicly, reports said.

"Over 39 Ram Navami possessions were held in Kolkata yesterday and weapons were showed off in three rallies, which were hosted at Posta, Entally and Bhawanipore areas," a Kolkata Police official told IBNS.

"As we found violation of law in the act, three FIRs on suo motto basis have been lodged against rallies' organizers at Posta, Entally and Bhawanipur Police Stations," the official added.

Reacting the matter, BJP state president Dilip Ghosh told IBNS, "Deadly weapons, including firearms, were carried publicly in Muharram rallies. Government took no action against them."

"Then why they are taking legal step against me, is law only applicable on Dilip Ghosh in the state! I'm ready to face the legal fight," Ghosh added.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)