Religious grant or a political move by BJP
Dubela, Tanisha Das: The West Bengal government has announced ₹5 lakh financial assistance for around 60 Rath Yatra committees across the state to uplift the culture. The main purpose is to promote the tradition of Rath Yatra and enrich it as a part of our cultural heritage. The government has also ensured to set up “Seva Kendras” to provide the pilgrims with water, first aid and ORS.
Grants given to ensure safety, heritage, and tourism have always been welcome, but using public money to promote just the religious faith of a particular community by the government is not always acceptable. Any kind of religious or cultural grant given should be a part of declared policy, not a religious aid. If money is being given for Rath Yatra, there should be similar schemes for Christmas, Muharram and other religious festivals too.
If the state funds the festival of one specific community, then the state should also fund the festivals of other communities too, so that any kind of discrimination doesn’t take place.
