KOLKATA: Bengal’s BJP govt moved Monday to stamp out religion-based aid such as honorariums for mosque functionaries and priests, with CM Suvendu Adhikari asserting that “it was not the govt’s job to distribute doles to imams, muezzins and purohits”.”Financial assistance to imams, muezzins and purohits is being discontinued. A fresh notification will be issued listing the schemes that are being discontinued,” Urban development and women and child affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said after a cabinet meeting where the decision was taken. The payments will be stopped from next month.Such stipends had been introduced by Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt. They were being provided through the information and cultural affairs department, and minority affairs and madrassa education department.Adhikari doubled down on the decision to halt the payments. “Our job is to improve education, to give jobs to youths. We have stopped every religious dole. We will provide Vivekananda scholarship to meritorious and poor students from all communities. There will not be any appeasement politics in Bengal,” he said.BJP welcomed the move. “The Constitution does not allow discrimination among communities based on religion. Govt will work for the people of Bengal. It will neither favour Hindus nor Muslims,” BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Time Has Come’: Suvendu’s ‘Deportation’ Warning In Bhabanipur, Vows Action Over Kolkata ViolenceDelhi High Court Denies Interim Relief To Vinesh Phogat, Wrestler Barred From Asian Games Trials“India Is Now Naxal-Free”: Home Minister Amit Shah Declares End Of Maoist Insurgency From Bastar’I Am Trapped’: Twisha Sharma’s Last Message Before ‘Dowry Death’ In Bhopal | Headlines@9’Demanded Fortuner Car, Rs 50 Lakh’: Family Claims Noida Woman Was Thrown Off Terrace Over DowryFirst Look Of India’s Bullet Train Unveiled As Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor Nears 2027 LaunchBengal Govt Forms Panels To Probe Corruption, Atrocities Against Women During TMC Regime‘Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Lazy’: Inside India’s Viral Cockroach Janta PartySuvendu Adhikari Govt Ends Religion-Based Schemes In West Bengal, Scraps State OBC List‘Gone Are The Days When…’: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Warns After Kolkata Violence123PhotostoriesRubina Dilaik recalls a dark phase after her first breakup; says ‘Was deeply sad and financially broke, there were times when I was crying all the time’Idli vs Dhokla: Which is more nutritious for summer breakfastHow to make Dahi Sandwich for summer breakfastThere are only 2 countries starting with ‘Z’ and why travellers should explore them5 weekend getaways from Delhi under 500 km to escape the June heatWorld’s most culturally important rivers, and what they have in store for travellersOTT releases (May 18 to May 24): ‘Desi Bling’, ‘Jack Ryan’, ‘System’, ‘Ladies First’ lead the lineupConfused about how to remove the evil eye? Here are some remedies to get rid of negative vibes‘Queer Eye’ to Rehab Addict: Slurs, Low ratings and final chapters, every major reality TV show cancelled in 20265 Unlucky Plants You Should Remove from Your Home to Attract Good Luck123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingReal Madrid CoachBrittany mahomesFifa World Cup 2026Who is aj brown wifeKolkata VIP Security CutIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026London Tube StrikeDelhi High CourtFuel Price Hike
KOLKATA: Bengal’s BJP govt moved Monday to stamp out religion-based aid such as honorariums for mosque functionaries and priests, with CM Suvendu Adhikari asserting that “it was not the govt’s job to distribute doles to imams, muezzins and purohits”.“Financial assistance to imams, muezzins and purohits is being discontinued. A fresh notification will be issued listing the schemes that are being discontinued,” Urban development and women and child affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said after a cabinet meeting where the decision was taken. The payments will be stopped from next month.Such stipends had been introduced by Mamata Banerjee-led TMC govt. They were being provided through the information and cultural affairs department, and minority affairs and madrassa education department.Adhikari doubled down on the decision to halt the payments. “Our job is to improve education, to give jobs to youths. We have stopped every religious dole. We will provide Vivekananda scholarship to meritorious and poor students from all communities. There will not be any appeasement politics in Bengal,” he said.BJP welcomed the move. “The Constitution does not allow discrimination among communities based on religion. Govt will work for the people of Bengal. It will neither favour Hindus nor Muslims,” BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said.
