Updated: November 7, 2020 12:53:24 pm
Union Interior Minister Amit Shah at the Dakshineswar temple on Friday.
Union Interior Minister Amit Shah became embroiled in controversy after placing a wreath on the wrong statue while paying tribute to iconic Adivasi leader Birsa Munda in the Bankura district on Thursday.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) made a foray into Shah, calling him “bohiragato [outsider]”.
Local Adivasi leaders said Friday that the statue the minister adorned was not of Munda, but of an anonymous tribal hunter.
After adorning the statue and sprinkling it with petals, Shah tweeted: “Today he paid floral tributes to the legendary tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda ji in Bankura, West Bengal. The life of Birsa Munda ji was dedicated to the rights and elevation of our tribal sisters and brothers. Their courage, struggles and sacrifices continue to inspire us all. “
To cover up the mistake, the BJP placed the portrait of Birsa Munda at the foot of the statue.
The adivasi organization Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal said it was upset by the minister’s misstep, which, it added, was an insult to Birsa Munda.
The Trinamool Congress tweeted: “’Bohiragato’ is back! The Union Interior Minister @AmitShah is so ignorant of Bengal culture that he insulted Bhagwan Birsa Munda by garlanding a wrong idol and placing his photo on someone else’s foot. Will Bengal ever respect?
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