Kolkata: West Bengal is now under a BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who has defeated Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee after her long spell in power.
Adhikari has begun appearing in saffron attire and recently led a procession with seers, raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram”. Opposition parties have criticised the shift, arguing that the state is being pushed towards a model associated with Uttar Pradesh.
During her tenure, Mamata Banerjee was known to object to the “Jai Shri Ram” slogan. With the change in government, minorities in the state have expressed apprehension about whether the new administration will act against them.
Adhikari has said he is not against any minority community, but will continue to speak about Hindu issues. He is also planning a major event in Kolkata next month for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is attempting to change the character of Jadavpur University, known for its left-leaning student base. As a first step, he is pushing to rename the university after philosopher and freedom fighter Aurobindo, a move that has already triggered opposition.
