Kolkata | Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen on Friday said the slogans of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ are not associated with the Bengali culture like ‘Maa Durga’ and it just used to ‘beat up people’.
Addressing an event in Jadavpur University, Sen said,” Jai Sri Ram slogan is not associated with the Bengali culture and it is ‘Maa Durga’ who is omnipresent in the lives of Bengali people.” “Ram Navami is gaining popularity in Kolkata which he never heard earlier,” he added.
Citing an example, the economist said, “I asked my four-year-old grandchild who is your favourite deity? She replied, ‘Maa Durga’. The significance of Maa Durga can’t be compared with Ram Navami.”
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Responding to Sen’s statement, West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said,” Amartya Sen probably doesn’t know Bengal. Does he know about Bengali or Indian culture? Jai Shri Ram is chanted in very village. Now entire Bengal says it.”
Amartya Sen’s comment have come after people in various parts of West Bengal were forced to chant ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and been beaten if they refuse. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is often heckled with the chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ during her public meetings in the state.
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