Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen made sensational comments on ‘Jai Sriram’ Slogan that has been used by BJP cadres to embarrass West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee in recent times. It is known news that a few weeks back, wherever Mamta goes BJP cadres and leaders shout ‘Jai Sriram’ slogans and if she doesn’t say anything, they label her anti-Hindu or even pro-Pakistani for not saying ‘Jai Sriram’ along with them. This incident has raised several debates in the state of West Bengal. In this backdrop, Amartya Sen’s comments created a stir among political circles.
Amartya Sen told, ‘Jai Sri Ram’ slogan is not associated with the Bengali culture and it is used as “a pretext to beat up people”. He said, “I asked my four-year-old grandchild who is your favourite deity? She replied that it is Maa Durga. Maa Durga is so much omnipresent in our lives. What I feel is slogans like Jai Sri Ram are used as pretexts to beat up people. I had never heard of Ram Navami before (in West Bengal) but even Ram Navami is “gaining popularity” nowadays. The significance of Maa Durga cannot be compared with Ram Navami. If people of a certain religion are scared to move freely or are fear-bound, it is a serious matter”.
Obviously, his comments became a topic of debate. We will have to wait and see how BJP will react to his comments.
