Monk accuses BJP MP Ananta Maharaj of abuse, saffron party leader denies allegation – ThePrint –

Kolkata, Oct 14 (PTI) BJP MP Ananta Maharaj on Monday stoked a controversy after a monk of Ramakrishna Vivekananda Seva Ashram in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar accused him of harassment and abuse during a program in the district.

The incident, which was denied by the BJP MP, led to a war of words between the TMC and the saffron party in the area.

According to Vigyanananda, Maharaj’s aides pushed the ashram residents and other monks before leaving the site. “Not only did he misbehave with me, but his aides abused some residents here and abused me,” Vigyanananda told reporters.

However, the BJP MP denied the allegations.

“During my visit to the ashram, I asked the seer his name, identity and educational qualifications, but he angrily refused to answer even though there was no physical confrontation. After I left, he misled some locals and blocked the path. There was no incident of my assistants abusing him or anyone else in the ashram. These allegations are completely baseless,” Maharaj told reporters.

Some of Vigyanananda’s supporters staged a sit-in and demanded the arrest of those involved in the mistreatment of the monks.

Local BJP MLA Sukumar Ray condemned the incident and said he would inquire about it.

“We do not support any form of attacks or abuse against monks. We respect them for their selfless service for the betterment of society. We will inquire,” he said.

Senior TMC leader and North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha condemned the incident and urged the police to take appropriate action.

“Police should immediately take appropriate action against the BJP MP and his supporters. We condemn such attacks on monks,” he told reporters. PTI PNT MNB

This report is automatically generated by PTI news service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.