Mamata leads protest march in Kolkata, warns BJP of ‘dire political backlash' if it doesn't stop 'harassing' Bengali-speaking people
Ms. Banerjee also alleged that the ruling dispensation at the Centre was 'influencing the Election Commission of India' to achieve its political ambitions across states.
She was speaking at a public meeting after holding a protest march in rain-drenched Kolkata against the alleged torture of Bengali-speaking people in BJP-ruled States.
'I will challenge the central government notices which were surreptitiously sent to BJP-ruled states to harass Bengali-speaking people and detain them at the slightest suspicion,' the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged at the rally, which terminated at the Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata.
'I am ashamed and disheartened at the Centre and the BJP's attitude towards Bengalis,' Banerjee claimed.
Expressing her resolve to fight the BJP 'inch by inch' if it tried to "persecute" Bengali-speaking people, she said that the saffron camp should remain prepared for a fresh round of 'Khela Hobey' (the game-is-on slogan coined ahead of the 2021 state polls) during the assembly elections in 2026.
'I have decided to speak more in Bangla from now on, hold me in detention camps if you can,' she said while attacking the BJP.
March held ahead of PM Modi's visit
Senior leaders of the party, including TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, joined Banerjee as she led thousands of people in the march, which began from College Square in central Kolkata around 1.45 pm.
The march will terminate at Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala.
The nearly 3-km route was wrapped in security, with nearly 1,500 police personnel guarding the barricaded pavements and adjacent buildings.
Vehicular traffic was diverted along multiple arterial roads in the central parts of the city because of the programme.
Similar demonstrations have also been organised by the TMC in the district headquarter towns across the State.
The protests are being held a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the State.
Asserting that there are nearly 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal working in other parts of the country, who have valid identity documents like Aadhar, EPIC and PAN cards, Banerjee said she would not tolerate any disrespect meted out to them on flimsy grounds.
'What right does the BJP have in harassing Bengalis like this, even arresting them and forcefully pushing them back to Bangladesh? Is West Bengal not part of India?' she asked.
Stating that "extreme situations call for extreme counter measures", Banerjee said, "I will say this in the simplest of words. We will not fight you physically. But if the BJP doesn't put an end to its persecution policies immediately, then the Trinamool Congress knows how to make them stop."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Jagan again warns TDP, police of ‘consequences'
YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy sharply criticised the TDP-led coalition government for allegedly misusing police machinery and suppressing democratic opposition. Speaking at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Wednesday, he warned that when YSRCP returns to power, TDP and 'errant' officials will face consequences for their actions. Reddy asserted that YSRCP is the only party standing with the people, addressing grievances of farmers, women, youth, students, and employees, while the state lacks constitutional governance and rule of law. He accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of betraying public trust with unfulfilled promises and using police powers to silence dissent. In support of his contention that YSRCP is standing by the people, he pointed to party's protest programmes, including the December 13, 2024, demonstration for crop insurance, the December 24 agitation against electricity tariff hikes, and the March 12 Yuva Poru protest against the cancellation of education schemes like Jagananna Vidya Deevena. Campaigns like 'Babu Surety, Mosam Guarantee' and 'Recalling Chandrababu's Manifesto' exposed TDP's failure to deliver welfare promises, he claimed. Jagan condemned filing of 'false' cases against senior police officers like P S R Anjaneyulu, Sunil Kumar, and Kanti Rana Tata, noting that over 80 inspectors and hundreds of constables remain suspended or sidelined, while pro-TDP officers are favoured. He cited IPS officer Siddharth Kaushal's resignation as evidence of pressure on honest officials. He also denounced the 'brutal' attack on Krishna ZP chairperson Uppala Harika by TDP workers during a 'Recalling Chandrababu's Manifesto' event in Gudivada. Despite police presence, no arrests were made, and a false case was filed against Harika's husband. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the government for targeting YSRCP leaders with false FIRs during visits to markets and condolence meetings, questioning why raising public issues is treated as a crime. He slammed the government for borrowing Rs 1.75 lakh crore in 14 months without implementing major welfare schemes like jobless youth allowance, LPG cylinders, Amma Vodi, pensions, or fee reimbursement.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
State has sufficient land for industries: MB Patil
Bengaluru: Responding to Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh's invitation for aerospace-defence industries to come to his state, MB Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries, asserted on Wednesday that the state government would not allow any industry to exit due to lack of land. Addressing media queries at the KPCC office, Patil said that the proposed land acquisition at Devanahalli for the proposed Aerospace and Defence Park has been dropped, taking into account the interests of farmers. 'Karnataka is a major contributor to the country's aerospace and defence sector, accounting for 65% of the national share. This is recognised as the third-best ecosystem globally. Land availability alone is not the determining factor for industries; a robust ecosystem plays a far more crucial role,' he pointed out. Referring to Nara Lokesh's post on 'X' inviting aerospace industries to Andhra Pradesh, Patil said he had responded with a befitting reply. 'Karnataka has immense potential and I am an able minister. We have sufficient land not only for aerospace and defence, but also for AI, deep tech, IT and other industries. We will not let even a single industrialist leave the state due to non-availability of land,' he emphasised. 'To facilitate industries, we go beyond land allocation. We also ensure water, power, and other essential infrastructure. We have already prepared an integrated plan worth ₹3,600 crore to guarantee water supply to industrial areas across the state,' Patil said. Commenting on state BJP president Vijayendra's remarks regarding the dropping of land acquisition at Devanahalli, Patil said, 'Now Vijayendra is supporting industrialists. Had the government decided to go ahead with land acquisition, he would have sided with the farmers. Whatever interpretation the opposition gives, the state's interest remains my top priority.'
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
BJD workers in scuffle with police at PMG
Bhubaneswar: The workers and leaders of Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday engaged in a scuffle with the Commissionerate Police at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar while marching ahead to gherao the Lok Seva Bhavan, demanding justice for Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student, Soumyashree Bisi, who succumbed on Monday following self-immolation attempt last week over sexual harassment by a college faculty member. The police used water cannon and fired tear gas bullets to disperse the protesters who tried to march ahead by breaking the police barricade at the spot. Hundreds of BJD workers and leaders were also detained by the Commissionerate Police to bring the situation under control. The protest march began at Master Canteen Square and moved towards PMG Square, drawing large participation from party leaders, women members and supporters. The demonstration saw emotional appeals, slogans and placards demanding justice for the deceased student and stricter action against those responsible. Several BJD workers and leaders, including Pranab Prakash Das and Priti Ranjan Gharei, sustained injuries during the demonstration. The BJD leaders criticised the BJP-led State government for failing to ensure justice for the victim Soumyashree. The Opposition leaders criticised the inaction by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and local administration leading to the unfortunate death of Soumyashree. The party also expressed grave concern over the increasing number of crimes against women across the State and called for immediate policy action and accountability. The party asserted that the demonstration is not just about one girl, but the safety and dignity of every woman in Odisha. The silence of those in power is unacceptable. The party has been demanding judicial inquiry under the chairmanship of a sitting judge of Orissa High Court into the self-immolation of Soumyashree and the resignation of the State Higher Education Minister. The BJD vice-President, Debi Prasad Mishra, said, 'this is the wrath of the people of Odisha. Biju Janata Dal, as the responsible Opposition party and the largest party of Odisha, we are resenting the heinous act in which a college student died and she had to resort to self-immolation.' He alleged that six months ago, Soumyashree had given her representation to the Internal Committee of the college. Mishra also said she also filed a complaint with Shadevkhunta Police on June 13 over the sexual harassment by Head of the Department, Samir Kumar Sahu. 'The Balasore Superintendent of Police and the Collector were aware of this but nobody paid any heed to it. On July 1, she also submitted her grievances to the Chief Minister, Union Education Minister, State Higher Education Minister, the local MLA but nobody responded to her. Even the local MP admitted that he did not take it seriously. This is ridiculous and condemnable,' he added.
