Kolkata: Condemning West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks against the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated on Saturday that opposition parties are conspiring to create a situation reminiscent of Ravana's era, when sages were threatened. He also accused the INDIA bloc parties of basing their politics on "opposition to Hinduism" and asserted that the people will give them a fitting response.

"Just like people used to threaten sages during Ravana's time, a similar situation is being attempted now. But this is Sanatan Dharma; the devotees and representatives of these organizations will give them a befitting reply," Adityanath said in a media statement on Saturday.

Last week, Mamata Banerjee had alleged that some monks from the Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha were operating under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. She mentioned, "There is a Maharaj in Behrampore; I have been hearing about him for a long time. Kartik Maharaj. He says he will not allow any TMC agent in the poll booth. I do not consider him a saint because he is directly involved in politics. I used to respect Bharat Sevashram Sangha a lot. It has been on my list of respected organizations for a long time." A monk from Bharat Sevashram Sangha sent a legal notice to Banerjee over her comments. The TMC chief later clarified that her remarks were directed at certain individual monks and not against the institutions as a whole. Meanwhile, West Bengal Police arrested five people in connection with the vandalization of properties at the Ramakrishna Mission in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.

Yogi Adityanath further criticized the INDIA bloc, including Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, and RJD, stating, "Their politics is based on opposition to Hinduism. They oppose Sanatan Dharma, India's ideologies, and philosophies." He added, "The TMC statements against Bharat Sevashram show their frustration in the face of impending defeat." He expressed confidence that people associated with Bharat Sevashram and the Ramakrishna Mission would deliver a "befitting reply" to Congress and its INDIA bloc partners.

Highlighting the contributions of these institutions, Adityanath said, "Ramkrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are two premier religious and spiritual institutions in India. Following the direction shown by Swami Vivekananda, the Ramakrishna Mission has spread the values of Sanatan Dharma both in the country and abroad, along with contributing significantly in the field of charity work." He continued, "Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a glowing light of India's Sanatan Hindu religion. Following the path shown by Swami Pranavananda, Bharat Sevashram Sangha has spread the message of Sanatan Dharma."

Additionally, Adityanath accused the Trinamool Congress of including 118 Muslim castes in the OBC list, thus depriving the rightful OBC communities of their rights. "The TMC included 118 Muslim castes in the OBC list and has taken away rights from OBCs. In the last 14 years, lakhs of OBC people have been deprived of their rights. TMC should apologize to the OBC community in Bengal," he said. Notably, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday canceled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010. The court directed the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission to prepare a new OBC list in accordance with the 1993 Act, while those on the OBC list before 2010 will remain. An estimated 5 lakh OBC certificates are set to be canceled in light of the order.

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