Is Mamta Banerjee's Electoral Ground Slipping in WB? Amit Malviya Reacts On Swapping Vishwakarma Puja Holiday With Eid ul Fitr, Check Details

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya has launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of engaging in "Muslim appeasement" after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) scrapped the Vishwakarma Puja holiday in Hindi medium schools to extend the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday.

Welcome to Mamata Banerjee’s Islamic Caliphate of West Bengal.

Earlier, the Chief Minister unilaterally slashed reservations under the OBC sub-quota and arbitrarily included Muslims, denying OBCs their rightful dues. The Calcutta High Court has rightly struck it down, and the… pic.twitter.com/CBnkQPu2tw

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 26, 2025

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Malviya criticized the decision, stating, "Welcome to Mamata Banerjee’s Islamic Caliphate of West Bengal." He alleged that the Chief Minister's move was an attempt to regain the Muslim vote bank, which he claimed was slipping away.

Official Notification on Holiday Change

A notification from the KMC Education Department, dated February 25, 2025, confirmed the holiday adjustment. According to the corrigendum, Eid-ul-Fitr will now be a two-day holiday (March 31 – April 1, 2025), while Vishwakarma Puja, originally scheduled for September 17, 2025, has been removed from the list.

Political Reactions

Malviya linked the move to a broader pattern of alleged discrimination against OBC Hindus. He also referenced the Calcutta High Court’s earlier decision striking down the West Bengal government's attempt to alter the OBC sub-quota by including Muslims. The case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

He further claimed that Banerjee's policies were harming both Hindus and Muslims. "Muslims don’t need endless holidays—they need education and employment. An additional holiday means a loss of daily wages for Muslim laborers and denies Hindus their rightful observances," he stated.

Growing Electoral Pressure?

With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, political analysts suggest that Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) may be facing electoral challenges. Reports indicate that while she once enjoyed unwavering Muslim support, opposition parties—including the BJP and Congress-Left alliance—are making inroads into her vote base.

The BJP has vowed to ensure “justice as per constitutional provisions” and is likely to use this issue to mobilize support among Hindu OBC communities.

With tensions rising, all eyes will be on how Banerjee navigates the political landscape ahead of the elections.