"Stooped to new low": Shashi Panja on BJP's 'Sharada Ma' cartoon
Feb 16, 2024
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 16 : West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja hit out at the BJP for sharing a cartoon of 'Sarada Devi' on their social media handle, saying that the party has stooped to a 'new low' for hurting religious sentiments.
"Today, the BJP has stooped to a new low and BJP Bengal unit today on 'X' handle, they made a cartoon, a caricature of Ma Sharada. We worship Maa Sharda. She's an idol. There are many followers of Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sri Ma and Swamiji at Ram Krishna Mission, Belur Math and various branches all over the world," Panja to ANI on Friday.
The state minister said the contents of the post were "extremely derogatory" and the Trinamool Congress condemned it strongly.
"Everybody will feel insulted seeing this kind of X-handle post which BJP Bengal today has done and the contents are extremely derogatory. The All India Trinamool Congress has responded and condemned this in the strongest of strong language," Panja said.
The Women and Child Development Minister said she felt "extremely offended" seeing the post and drew the attention of the general secretary of Ram Krishna Mission in Belur Math who said the post was in "bad taste."
"I have taken diksha in Ram Krishna Mission. I felt extremely offended. Today I drew the urgent attention of the general secretary of Belur Math. I called him and relayed the content of this social media post, asking him for his further instructions in the matter. The general secretary, Maharaj Veerananda, replied saying that the caricature smacked of bad taste," Panja said.
The senior Trinamool Congress leader said they were appalled to see the content of the social media post saying that the BJP will not be forgiven.
"We are very appalled. We condemn this as it has offended our faith. They have offended Maa Sharda. This cannot be tolerated and the BJP will never be forgiven for this," Panja said.
