Several Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, allegedly mentioned by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her ‘intimidating statement’ suggesting that ‘if Bengal burns, Assam, the North-East, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn,’ heavily criticized their Bengal counterpart on Wednesday (August 29). They expressed their displeasure in the strongest terms against her divisive language.
Taking to their respective social media accounts, the Chief Ministers of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Manipur, N Biren Singh, and Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, criticized Mamata Banerjee for her irresponsible statement and called for her public apology.
It is pertinent to note that Mamata Banerjee’s statement comes after the state witnessed sporadic instances of violence, during a 12-hour shutdown in Bengal, following the Kolkata rape and murder incident on Wednesday.
Speaking at the foundation day ceremony of the Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) student wing, Banerjee said, “Some people think this (agitation) is similar to the protests in Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us (Bengal). Our culture is also the same. However, Bangladesh is a different country.”
She was referring to the recent deadly student-led protests in Bangladesh, which led to the ouster of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Banerjee added, “PM Modi, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.”
Banerjee further stated that her slogan of ‘badla noy, badal chai’ (no revenge, only change) needed to be updated to reflect changing times and situations.
Meanwhile, during a protest organized by the BJP on Wednesday, several incidents of violence and widespread disruption of services were reported across West Bengal. The most severe clash reportedly occurred in Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district, wherein BJP leaders alleged that TMC supporters had fired shots at the car of a local BJP leader, Priyangu Pandey. Although they said that Pandey escaped unhurt in the incident, his driver and a party worker were injured and hospitalized.
Significantly, throughout the day, several important services in the state remained affected. At the same time, the authorities continued to detain BJP leaders, including former MPs Roopa Ganguly and Locket Chatterjee, Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, and MLA Agnimitra Paul, for attempting to enforce the bandh. In Kolkata, the shutdown had a mixed impact, with reduced public transport and many private vehicles staying off the roads. Markets and shops largely remained open, but schools and offices saw lower attendance.
