State Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee promised stipends, houses, and medical insurance to Brahmin purohits (priests). He asked them not to agree with the BJP and stated he’d help build the agency to the grassroots degree. Banerjee spoke at a primary-of-its-type rally organized by the Paschim Banga Rajya Sanatan Brahmin Trust. On Friday, many Brahmin purohits collected at Rani Rashmoni Road to press for their nine-point needs, including stipends, houses, health insurance, and the unfolding of Sanskrit.
The circulation comes when BJP gained 18 seats in Bengal within the Lok Sabha polls and attempted to woo the electorate on the grassroots degree. After coming to power, the TMC introduced stipends for imams and muezzins, which became criticized by unique quarters, including the Brahmin purohits. Also, the BJP has always targeted Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for Muslim appeasement. With lessons learned from Lok Sabha polls, wherein in many seats, a clear polarization of votes became seen in favor of BJP and the critical meeting polls developing in 2021.
Trinamool Congress is reaching out to the Hindu community in Bengal. After the polls, the TMC added a fresh narrative of Bengaliness in the nation. The ballot consequences also showed that in seats with sizable SC and ST votes, TMC did badly. Coupled with that, the celebration is far more important in highlighting its secular stand within the nation. Reaching out to Brahmin Purohits’ enterprises indirectly and helping them unfold on the grassroots stage is a politically substantial part of the birthday party. Through this, TMC also has ambitions to counter the BJP, whose unfolding in Bengal has greatly depended on galas like Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti, and to target the lead minister for Muslim appeasement.
At the rally, the minister stated, “I am unhappy that Brahmin purohits are in a depressing situation. Brahmins aren’t finished. They will display the way forward. We have shown that Brahmins dare to hold this kind of great rally at the coronary heart of Kolkata. No one has ever thought for the welfare of Brahmin purohits, who go door to door and store to keep hope for us.”
“I will meet CM Mamata Banerjee together with your demands. I take it upon myself to make certain Brahmins get a month-to-month stipend. We nicely also ensure that there is a roof over your head. The purohits are so poor that many do not have proper roofs over their heads. We have a ‘swastha, which is this health insurance scheme for the bad. Why have Brahmins not had it? I will make certain which you come below it. Some of your demands could be fulfilled this year. But all your needs will no longer be fulfilled overnight,” stated Banerjee. “I will also speak with the state education minister concerning Sanskrit training in colleges and setting up institutes for the spread of Sanskrit,” stated Banerjee.
The minister also asked the purohits to organize themselves underneath one umbrella.
“I will ask you to deliver all Brahmin purohits below one umbrella and unfold your organization to each block and meeting constituency. I am there with you and promise to fight for your needs,” said Banerjee. He also looked at the BJP and requested everyone to unmask the birthday party. “They (BJP) have made Lord Ram their political agent. They have used you and thrown you. It is time that they’re unmasked. They are double-confronted humans who used faith for their politics,” stated Banerjee. He additionally promised that some other mega rally could shortly be held at Maidan near Shahid Minar.
Their nine-factor needs include a stipend for purohits who are senior residents, monthly stipends for running purohits, houses for homeless Brahmins, identification evidence for the network, offering Sanskrit training in faculties from class five, and setting up TolsTools academic institutes for youngsters of Brahmins.
Secretary of the purohits’ organization, Sridhar Misra, said: “We are thankful to Rajib Banerjee for helping us. We hope Mamata Banerjee will pay attention to our pleas and assist us. Brahmins’ purohits are in a difficult state of affairs in the state and want to help. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation began stipends for Brahmin purohits at crematoriums after the Lok Sabha polls.