Shantanu Thakur demands CBI probe into Matua temple incident

Central Minister for Shipping (MoS) and Matua Mahasangh leader Shantanu Thakur on Monday demanded a CBI probe over the major ruckus that broke out in the Matua Thakurbari premises. The incident led to injury and hospitalization of more than 15 Matua disciples. The minister also apprised the Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the alleged attack on Matua disciples. Trinamool Congress also claimed their workers were also injured in yesterday’s incident.

“I have video CCTV footage of the incident. I demand a CBI probe. The people who attacked the priests and abused us and prevented us from entering the Thakurbari. Trinamool leaders Bratya Basu, Sujit Bose and Jyotipriya Mullick entered here with goons,” Shantanu Thakur said.

Shantanu Thakur has sought intervention of the Union Ministry and punishment of the accused, involved in the alleged attack of the Matuas in Thakurbari premises and outside the hospital. Thakur holds the portfolio of MoS under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The minister was allegedly manhandled by the minister outside the hospital yesterday.

“The minister has informed about the incident to the Union Home Ministry and wherever necessary. Maintaining all protocol, the minister has informed about the incident,” Subrata Thakur, BJP Gaighata MLA and another leader of Matua Mahasangh, told ET.

“According to preliminary reports, 15 have been injured and hospitalized. Final report is yet to come,” the younger brother of Shantanu Subrata Thakur said.

The central minister was allegedly manhandled last night when he went to the hospital with the injured Matua disciples. Shantanu Thakur is Sanghadhipati (head) of the All India Matua Mahasangha and is held in high esteem by the Matua community.“There were priests in the Matua Thakurbari temple and 3-4 persons accompanied him. A priest cannot be attacked, puja ingredients and utensils for prayer cannot be touched. If that happens, people, Matua bhakts and the family members of the Matua Thakurbari will surely not sit silent,” people in the know told ET.“There were repercussions among the bhakts. The priests were beaten up and women were also attacked,” Subrata Thakur said.

Matua politics once again became a flashpoint between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress in Bongaon’s Matua Thakurbari, over Trinamool National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s visit to Matua Thakurbari ahead of the Panchayat polls on Sunday.

Major ruckus broke out outside Matua Thakurbari, a holy pilgrimage of the Matua community with clashes between supporters of Trinamool Congress and BJP. Trinamool claimed their workers were injured and CISF had entered the Thakurbari temple premises with their shoes on.

State Minister Sashi Panja said, “Some followers of BJP and CISF were there during the incident. CISF entering the holy place is not acceptable.”

Reacting sharply to yesterday’s incident, another Matua leader, who was Trinamool MP, Mamatabala Thakur said, “The way central force entered the temple and threw puja garlands and beat up a Trinamool worker, following an attack by CISF. Abhishek Banerjee was scheduled to offer puja there,” adding, “Shantanu Thakur and his CISF personnel has destroyed the sanctity of the temple.”