Imams of mosques in West Bengal have asked chief minister Mamata Banerjee to extend the lockdown in the state till May 30.
In a letter written to Banerjee, the Imam's association in the state said that even if union government withdraws lockdown after May 17, the state government should continue with lockdown as the situation in Bengal is getting worse.
"Our festival (Id-ul-Fitr) will be celebrated on May 25. You may have thought of considering to lift the lockdown for our festival. But we urge you not to think of our festival. None of us would blame you for it," said Md Iahaiya, chief of the Imam's association.
"You had earlier stated that lockdown would continue till May 21, while centre's decision was up to May 17. So we urge you to extend further," he said.
Banerjee has come under severe criticism for not maintaining lockdown as advised by union home ministry, particularly during Ramadan month.
The statement by the cleric body of the state is seen as a response to this..
West Bengal today recorded 11 new deaths from COVID-19 with the total tally touching 170. Around 1,700 people are infected, with more than 200 in the last 24 hours.
