Overview
- Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to reach Thakurnagar on January 9 to offer puja at Matua Thakurbari after a public meeting in Taherpur.
- Union Minister Shantanu Thakur says Banerjee will not be allowed to offer prayers if he comes with a heavy police presence and calls for a large 'dhikkar michil' protest.
- Pre-visit actions include black flag demonstrations, posters accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of insulting Matua ancestors, and the main temple being locked by some Matua Mahasabha members.
- TMC figures push back, with Mamatabala Thakur warning against attempts to stop Banerjee and the Matua Mahasangha’s general secretary asserting the temple is open to all devotees.
- New unrest has been reported between Matua groups aligned with TMC and BJP in Thakurnagar as tensions grow over voter roll revisions and control of access to the shrine.