Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused ‘some monks’ of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party and adhering to ‘orders from New Delhi’, Swami Pradiptananda (Kartick Maharaj) from Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s Murshidabad unit, on Monday, sent a legal notice to Trinamool Congress supremo for ‘defaming’ him.
The legal notice came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Banerjee for accusing the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Ramakrishna Mission and ISCKON of working in the BJP’s interests in Lok Sabha elections 2024.
The Legal Notice
In the notice, Kartick Maharaj’s lawyer said the monk has completely devoted his life towards “humanity as well as to bringing the modern Hindu society into the new age without compromising the essential values of ancient traditions of Hindu spirituality.
“My client denies all the allegations and imputations that have been levelled against him by you vide the said statements and my client puts you to strict proof of all such allegations, innuendos and imputations. Needless to state that my client has no connection with politics and has not stated anything pertaining to which you have made false accusations against him…It is stated that you have made misleading and malicious statements which has no basis whatsoever and also attempted to paint a picture of my client being involved in politics, which is far from reality,” the notice said.
It demanded an ‘unconditional apology’ from the West Bengal Chief Minister within 48 hours for the “innuendo/insinuations and imputation” remarks against the monk.
“I therefore, call upon you to forthwith address the press and issue an unconditional apology and retract your virulent and main fide statement as aforesaid within 48 hours from receipt of the instant notice and cease and desist from making further similar statements against my client, be it on any website, newsprint or television channel defaming and maligning my client. Such withdrawal and apology should be in terms to be approved by me on my client’s behalf and I call upon you to give your assurance and undertaking in writing that you will not publish similar allegations concerning my client or his organization i.e Bharat Sevashram Sangha,” the notice said.
It further added that if the TMC chief fails to reply to the notice within 4 days, Kartik Maharaj “fully reserves his right” to take further appropriate action including initiation of criminal cases against her.
Speaking to media persons, Kartik Maharaj confirmed the serving of legal notice to the Chief Minister and claimed that whatever she had said was baseless and false.
“She has accused me of giving calls to drive away Trinamool Congress agents from the polling booths. I have never said such things. I am a monk. I am not associated with any political party. The Chief Minister will never be able to prove her accusations,” Kartik Maharaj said.
Political Reaction
Till the time the report was filed, there was no reaction from Trinamool Congress on this count. However, the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, expressed gratitude to Karik Maharaj “for being upfront and courageous by standing up and raising his voice against the targeted attacks of Mamata Banerjee upon Sanatan Dharma”.
What Did Mamata Banerjee Say?
At an election rally in Hooghly’s Jayrambati on Saturday, Mamata Banerjee accused ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram of acting under instructions coming from New Delhi.
“Why will monks get involved in this? Everyone respects Ramakrishna Mission. I know that the monks of Ramakrishna Mission do not vote. Then why do you tell others to vote for the BJP? Not everyone but some people (monks) are violating…I used to respect Bharat Sevashram Sangha. But I have been hearing the name of one Kartik Maharaj who said he will not allow Trinamool agent at the booth. I don’t consider him as a monk because he is directly in politics…I have identified people who are doing this,” Mamata said.
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