In the war of words between PM Narendra Modi and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee attacked each other over chants of "Jai Shri Ram". PM Modi apparently dared Mamata Banerjee to arrest him for the chant to which the CM questioned him as to why he has not built "one Ram Temple" but is busy chanting "Jai Shri Ram".
While addressing a rally in Bishnupur on Monday, Banerjee said, "You BJP babu, you say 'Jai Shri Ram' but have you built even one Ram temple? At the time of elections, Ram Chandra becomes your party agent; you say 'Ram Chandra is my election agent'. You say 'Jai Shri Ram' and force others to say it."
The construction of the Ram Mandir (Temple) has been an important issue for the BJP as it is even included in the party manifesto where it talks about an "expeditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya".
Banerjee's attack comes soon after PM Modi, at a rally in Jhargram, dared her to "throw him in jail".
He said, "Didi has thrown people into jail for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. I thought of greeting her with the chant so she can throw me behind bars, too. I will then serve the innocent people who are in jail for chanting in praise of Lord Ram."
He was referring to a recent incident where three people were reportedly arrested for allegedly chanting "Jai Shri Ram" when the CM’s convoy was passing by. The video showing the same had apparently been shared on Social media widely.
On Monday, while addressing a rally at Jhargram, Ms Banerjee had said that one cannot force someone to raise slogans - the slogan they want to give to the people.
She added that she and her people respect Lord Ram and know how to give him proper respect. She said, “I will say, Jai Hind, Vande Mataram, Maa-Mati-Manush-er Jai, Trinamool Congress-er jai, but never the slogan which the BJP wants people to say."