Mamata practicing 'politics of appeasement': BJP

New Delhi: After Calcutta High Court yesterday slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led Government over its recent notification on Durga idol immersion, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said that the Chief Minister has no capacity to maintain law and order situation in the state and is following an appeasement policy.

"The biggest question to Mamata Banerjee is, if she says that she is not able to maintain the law and order and that's the reason is to why Muharram and Durga Puja cannot take place simultaneously, means she is accepting the guilt that she is not able to maintain the law and order situation in West Bengal. Despite the fact, that Hindus and Muslims want to live together," BJP leader Sambit Patra told ANI.

Meanwhile, another party leader Nalin Kohli said that the Trinamool government is constantly putting restrictions on the customary and religious practices related to Durga Puja.

"People are forced to go to the court to seek relief. It only shows that the government there has no capacity to main law and order. The government is possibly following an appeasement policy of looking at one community over the other. We welcome the observation of Honorable High Court of Calcutta," he said.

Yesterday, Calcutta High Court observed in Durga idol immersion case, "Why can't two communities celebrate together?"

Last month, the West Bengal government issued an order, which said that the immersion of Durga idols would not be allowed after 6 pm on September 30 and on October 1, on the account of Muharram. The time was later extended to 10 pm.

"Let all the communities live in harmony. Do not create a line between them. Let them live together," remarked the Calcutta High Court.

It further stated that when the State Government is firm there is communal harmony in the state.

"Why are you creating communal distinction between the two?" said the Calcutta High Court.

The issue has triggered a controversy among the members of BJP, who accused Banerjee of doing vote bank politics, sidelining the high court's order.

"She should put out the information and if there is an attempt to disturb the peace then she should register an FIR. Why is she doing all that? Then we will take out to court. She is already attacking the Chief justice of Kolkata High Court. Mamata Banerjee is a constitutional authority and must act responsibly otherwise the Centre should think of dismissing the government," BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had told ANI.

Earlier, Mamata had warned the BJP and its affiliate organisations such as RSS, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad over playing dirty politics during Durga Puja, asking them "not to play with fire".

"The Muslim Population of West Bengal is 30 percent. Some people are trying to play dirty politics over Durga Puja. So, if the people from BJP, RSS and VHP believe they can ruin our peace, I'd ask them to not play with fire," she said.

In addition to it, Banerjee reiterated her decision to halt Durga idol immersion on the day of Muharram.

Mamata said, "One thing should be clear- there shouldn't be any immersion during Muharram. I even tweeted about it after the meeting with the Puja committees."

Her comments came on the backdrop of VHP's decision to go ahead with its plan of a "shastra pujan" at private and religious institutions during Bijoya Dashami across the state.