Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the handling of recent communal clashes in Birbhum during the Holi celebrations. Speaking at a loan distribution event in Saharanpur, Adityanath took the opportunity to criticize Banerjee’s earlier remarks about the Maha Kumbh and highlight the success of Uttar Pradesh in organizing large events.

UP CM Highlights Success of Maha Kumbh

Adityanath first highlighted the Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj earlier this year, where over 66 crore devotees participated without a single criminal incident. He proudly declared, "Uttar Pradesh is the only place in the world capable of successfully organising such a massive event."

This was a direct reference to Mamata Banerjee’s earlier criticism of the Maha Kumbh after a stampede in January that tragically led to 30 deaths. Banerjee had labeled the Kumbh as a “festival of death,” which Adityanath quickly turned around to emphasize Uttar Pradesh’s capability to manage such large-scale events without any law-and-order issues.

Criticism of West Bengal's Handling of Holi Clashes

Referring to the March 14 violence in Birbhum, where a clash broke out between two groups during Holi celebrations, Adityanath criticized the West Bengal government’s inability to maintain law and order during the festival. "They called our Maha Kumbh disorganised and labelled it a 'festival of death,' yet they couldn’t control law and order in their own state during Holi," he remarked, without directly naming Mamata Banerjee, as reported by PTI.

Adityanath’s comments came after a clash in Birbhum left several people with minor injuries. The West Bengal police were able to bring the situation under control, with 21 people arrested. To avoid further unrest, the state government had suspended internet services in Sainthia and surrounding areas and deployed additional forces.

Comparison of Governance Approaches

The Uttar Pradesh CM also took aim at Banerjee’s approach to governance, specifically how festivals are handled in West Bengal. "In West Bengal, curfews are often imposed during festivals. In Uttar Pradesh, we celebrated Holi peacefully, followed by Jumma prayers, with no restrictions," he pointed out.

He further criticized the West Bengal government, suggesting that despite West Bengal’s population being smaller than Uttar Pradesh’s Muslim population alone, the state struggled to manage law and order during the Holi festival.

Political Tensions and Governance Criticism

The clash in Birbhum has intensified the political debate between the leaders of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, with both sides trading barbs over the handling of public events and festivals. While Adityanath continues to defend Uttar Pradesh’s track record in maintaining law and order during large gatherings, Banerjee’s leadership in West Bengal has come under scrutiny for its handling of the Birbhum violence and other incidents.

As tensions rise, the focus remains on the need for effective governance and the ability of states to manage communal harmony and security during significant cultural and religious events.