CM Mamata faces backlash over 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark; Saints and BJP strongly oppose, demand apology

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing widespread criticism over her remark in which she referred to the Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as "Mrityu Kumbh" (Death Kumbh). Her statement has sparked strong reactions from the saint community and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who are demanding an apology.

BJP's chief whip in the West Bengal Assembly, Shankar Ghosh, condemned the remark, calling it a grave insult to Hindu religious traditions. He said, "TMC’s politics clearly shows that the current Bengal government follows an anti-Hindu policy. Hindus usually do not react, but now that they are, the Chief Minister is scared." BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya also denounced Mamata Banerjee’s statement, calling it an insult to Indian culture. He asserted that "No citizen of the country can tolerate such an insult. The Chief Minister must issue a public apology for her remark."

Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, also strongly criticized Banerjee’s statement. He said, "The entire saint community is condemning the Chief Minister's remarks. She is afraid of Hindu religious resurgence and the enthusiasm of Hindus towards the Maha Kumbh. She has called the Kumbh 'Mrityu Kumbh.' Now, I pray to God that the upcoming assembly elections turn out to be 'Mrityu Kumbh' for her party." Mahant Raju Das of Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya also called Mamata Banerjee’s statement extremely unfortunate. He remarked, "It seems that most opposition leaders are now targeting traditional Hinduism by attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Mamata Banerjee must apologize for her remarks."