Mamata Banerjee stated that she criticized the BJP in her speech because they had been undermining democracy in West Bengal.
On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that a malicious disinformation campaign had been launched against her following her speech the previous day. She asserted that she did not say a single word against medical students or their protests related to the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
In a detailed post on X, she said, “I have detected a malicious disinformation campaign in certain print, electronic, and digital media related to a speech I gave at our students’ program yesterday.”
She added, “I want to make it absolutely clear that I have not said a single word against the medical students or their movements. I fully support their cause; their movement is legitimate. I have never threatened them, as some are falsely accusing me of doing. These allegations are completely untrue.”
She explained that her speech was directed at the BJP because they had been undermining democracy in West Bengal.
She added, “I have criticized the BJP because, with the backing of the Government of India, they are threatening democracy in our state and attempting to create anarchy. With support from the Centre, they are fostering lawlessness, and I have spoken out against these actions.”
In her speech, Banerjee mentioned that she had been extremely patient throughout the entire situation and urged the protesting doctors to return to their duties.
The BJP, however, alleged that she had threatened the doctors.
She clarified, “The phrase ‘phonsh kara’ used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The revered saint had said that sometimes it is necessary to raise one’s voice. When faced with crimes and criminal offenses, protest is required. My reference was a direct nod to this Ramakrishnite teaching.”
In response to the BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ call on Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using his party to incite unrest in Bengal over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.
She said, “Some people seem to think this is Bangladesh. While I have great affection for Bangladesh and its shared culture, it’s important to remember that Bangladesh and India are separate countries. Modi Babu is using his party to stir up trouble here. If you set Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi on fire, it will lead to widespread chaos! We will not hesitate to topple your chair.”
In response, the BJP compared her remarks to those of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
