Before the celebration, the chief minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, went to bat for Muslim-exclusive ghettos, warning Hindus to avoid celebrating in those areas.  

“I want to request those who are carrying out the Ram Navami procession, please do, but do it peacefully. Kindly avoid Muslim areas as Ramzan is going on. Celebrate peacefully but don’t try to create violence…” she said. 

As expected, however, the Hindu rallies came under violent attack as they passed through the Muslim-dominated areas of Howrah, West Bengal, on Ram Navami. Law and order in the state was in tatters. When furious Hindu groups questioned the authorities’ inaction, the chief minister absolved the Muslims of any responsibility for the violence, stating that Muslims don’t do any wrong during Ramzan. 

She went on to accuse the rally holders of being unruly during the procession, and claimed that they “chose an unauthorized route to provoke a community.”