Bengal Communist Leader Worships Goddess, Leftists Shocked

[Guest guest]

* Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty offers prayers to the goddess,

says he is a Hindu first and then a Brahmin *

 

Kolkata (Sept 17 2006): In West Bengal, the land of communism and its

band of non-believers, there is a revolt suddenly from within. West

Bengal Sports and Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty, known to be a

maverick, offered floral obeisance — on camera — to Goddess Kali.

 

The outcome: controversy, embarrassment for the ruling communist group

and a broad grin on the faces of leaders from the Bharatiya Janata

Party (BJP).

 

"Given my name, wherever I go in India, I am first a Hindu and then a

Brahmin. This is the truth, how can I deny it?" the transport minister

said, after his controversial visit on Thursday to the famous Tarapith

temple of goddess Kali in Birbhum district where he offered flowers

and a donation of Rs 501.

 

As the BJP rolled out the welcome mat to Chakraborty and state party

unit president Tathagata Roy went to the extent of inviting him to

their fold, the minister was unfazed — either by the BJP or the

embarrassment of his own party, in which he enjoys the sound backing

of Jyoti Basu despite his uncomfortable relationship with Chief

Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.

 

In the recent Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections, he backed

Jagmohan Dalmiya and flayed Sourav Ganguly much to the chagrin of

Bhattacharya who was made to eat humble pie by Dalmiya.

 

Chakraborty said he did no wrong by visiting the temple, though even

his 93-year-old mentor, Jyoti Basu, said: "Whom does he see and

worship? Does she (goddess Kali) exist at all? It would be better if

he worshipped mankind."

 

Chakraborty said Basu was the equivalent of god to him but "people

need not always agree on all counts".

 

"I've been to all famous temples and mosques in India, those who

criticise me now have themselves done the same on the sly,"

Chakraborty said in his usual style. "I was given flowers by the

priests of the temple. Should I have thrown them away?" he asked.

 

"I fold hands before the elders while the communists believe in Red

salute. I believe in my own style. I find it a more civil and humble

way of greeting people," Chakraborty said.

 

But the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is not very impressed

by his explanations.

 

"The party state secretary (Biman Bose) would seek an explanation from

him," said Binoy Konar, a member of the CPI-M state committee.

 

Source: Mumbai Mirror (IANS)

URL:

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=4&articleid=9172006122026591720061216796