'Spoke against BJP, not protesting doctors': Mamata Banerjee alleges disinformation campaign
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday, August 29, clarified 'if Bengal burns’ remark and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allegations that she was threatening the protesters who have held demonstrations and rallies against the Kolkata doctor's rape case. In a post on X, on Thursday, Mamata Banerjee said she did not “utter a single word" against the medical students or their movements or “threaten” them.
“I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students' programme yesterday. Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing," Mamata Banerjee said.
The West Bengal chief minister also asserted that she spoke against the BJP and accused them of trying to create anarchy in the state with the support of the Central government.
With support from the Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them. I also clarified that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is a need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, the voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying," Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday, at a public programme in Kolkata, which has turned into a fortress after the alleged gangrape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Mamata Banerjee shot off a warning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over protests and rallies linked to a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor's rape and murder case.
Mamata Banerjee said PM Modi was using his party, the BJP, to “cause fire in Bengal” over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, while warning him that “if you burn Bengal, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn and his chair will also be toppled.
“Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here [in Kolkata],” Mamata Banerjee had said, prompting sharp reactions from the BJP.
On Thursday, Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh likened West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying neither of them could “tolerate opposition”.
Singh’s remark was in response to Mamata Banerjee saying that “If Bengal is set on fire, Assam, northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi will also be affected."
"This can't be the language of a democratic person, of a Chief Minister,” Giriraj Singh. Drawing parallels between Mamata Banerjee and Kim Jong Un, Giriraj Singh said, “North Korean leader Kim Jong Un doesn't tolerate his opposition. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee doesn't tolerate the words of her opposition."
"Didi (Mamata Banerjee), how dare you threaten Assam? Don't show us your bloodshot eyes. Don't try to set India on fire with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted.
Meanwhile a complaint was filed against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday over her provocative remarks in which she allegedly warned that violence and unrest could be erupted in other states if attempts were made to stir up trouble in Bengal.
Vineet Jindal, a practising lawyer at the Supreme Court filed the complaint with the Delhi Police commissioner against the TMC supremo.
“A Complaint Against Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, Under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the IPC has been filed with Delhi Police commissioner. Copy has also been sent to President’s office and ministry of home affairs,” Jindal said in a post on X.
The advocate argued that Banerjee’s remarks are inflammatory, potentially inciting regional hatred and enmity, and thus posed a threat to national harmony and public order. He further contended that as chief minister, Banerjee’s statement carried significant weight, making the alleged remarks particularly dangerous.
“Given the instigating and provocative nature of her statement, which intends to create disharmony and foster hatred and enmity among the masses of India, as she mentioned the name of Delhi in her statement as one of the states, I being a resident of Delhi respectfully request that an FIR be lodged under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the BNS against Mamata Banerjee. These offences are cognizable and serious in nature,” stated the complainant.
