Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 18 (ANI): BJP MP Jagdambika Pal has sharply condemned West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's remark referring to Maha Kumbh 2025 as 'Mrityu Kumbh,' accusing her of insulting the faith of crores of Hindus.

Jagdambika Pal while speaking to ANI said, 'She has hurt the faith of crores of Hindus. She has not made this statement but pointed her finger at Sanatan Dharma. In the way she has hurt the sentiments of people who believe in Sanatan, Mamata Banerjee should know that crores of people from all over the world are participating in this sacred event. Now only nine days are left for the Mahakumbh bath, all the Shahi Amrit Snan which used to take place are done. Despite this, 1.5 crore people are coming to Prayagraj per day. You can see that whoever went and took the Holi dip, foreigners, celebrities, actors, or common people, everyone is taking a bath in the same sacred Kumbh and everyone is feeling the same energy.'

He further questioned Mamata's sincerity, saying, 'If she believes in Ganga Maiya, why hasn't Mamata Banerjee come yet...The way she gave the statement is condemnable... She only wants to incite people by messing with their sentiments the way she wants.'

In a similar vein, BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh also criticized Mamata's comment, calling it an affront to Sanatan Dharma.

He stated while speaking to ANI, 'The Chief Minister of a state of the country calls the great festival of Sanatan Dharma as 'Mrityu Kumbh'... Her (Mamata Banerjee) problem is that, at this time, she is seeing an obstacle in her politics of appeasement.'

Meanwhile, Ayodhya Hanuman Garhi temple priest Mahant Raju Das on Tuesday condemned West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark on Maha Kumbh.

He slammed Mamata Banerjee for attacking the faith of the people but remaining silent on the alleged incidents of rape in the state.

Das told ANI, 'The remark of CM Mamata Banerjee on Maha Kumbh is condemnable...She has called it 'Mrityu Kumbh', so I want to ask her why she is not commenting on the way Hindus are being killed in West Bengal, girls are being raped, doctors go on strike for a long period...you will comment on the faith of people but not on these issues...'He demanded an apology from Mamata Banerjee and questioned her authority for making such comments.

Earlier, during her address in the State Legislative, the West Bengal CM caused a heated controversy by referring to the Mahakumbh as 'Mrityukumbh'.

She strongly criticised the organisers for the inadequate arrangements resulting in stampedes on January 29 in Prayagraj and on February 15 at New Delhi Railway station.

Her statement sparked protests led by Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP MLAs in the West Bengal State Assembly. The group raised slogans and voiced their opposition to the remarks made by the CM. (ANI)