A lawyer has filed a case with the Delhi Police against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her Wednesday remarks, stating they were offensive and intended to incite violence.
On Wednesday, Banerjee slammed the BJP’s 12 hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ as an attempt to “defame” Bengal. She also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of manipulating his party to cause turmoil in the state.
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,” Mamata Banerjee added, referring to the neighbouring country’s student-led movement that resulted in the dismissing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Modi babu, 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,” Mamata Banerjee added.
The complaint, submitted by Vineet Jindal, a practicing lawyer at the Supreme Court, is based on a comment made by Banerjee at a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad gathering, in which she reportedly said, “Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.” Jindal claimed that Banerjee’s comment was inflammatory, potentially promoting regional rivalry and enmity, and so threatening national harmony and public order. He claimed that as chief minister, Banerjee’s words had enormous weight, making the alleged remarks more harmful.
“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.