Mamata Banerjee Accuses Centre of Harassing Bengalis, Warns BJP of Political Fallout

Last Updated Jul - 16 - 2025, 05:49 PM | Source : Fela News

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slams the BJP-led Centre for allegedly targeting Bengali-speaking citizens and warns of strong political consequences. Protest ma

Mamata Banerjee Accuses Centre of Harassing Bengalis

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of targeting and mistreating Bengali-speaking individuals across the country. She warned the saffron party of serious political repercussions if such actions were not immediately halted. Banerjee also alleged that the Centre was manipulating the Election Commission of India to serve its political interests in various states.

Speaking at a public rally after leading a rain-soaked protest march in Kolkata, Banerjee condemned the alleged abuse of Bengali-speaking citizens in BJP-governed states.

“I will legally contest the Centre’s secret directives to BJP-ruled states that are being used to harass and detain Bengalis under the slightest suspicion,” the Trinamool Congress leader declared at the rally, which concluded at Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata.

“I feel ashamed and deeply hurt by the BJP-led Centre’s treatment of Bengalis,” she said.

Vowing to resist the BJP’s actions “inch by inch” if it continued to “oppress” Bengali-speaking people, Banerjee invoked her famous slogan ‘Khela Hobey’—popularized during the 2021 Assembly elections—hinting at a renewed political fight in the upcoming 2026 polls. “I will now speak even more in Bangla. Let’s see if they can throw me into a detention camp for that,” she challenged.

Protest March Precedes PM Modi’s Visit

The demonstration was also joined by top TMC leaders, including party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The rally started from College Square around 1:45 pm and ended at Dorina Crossing, covering nearly 3 km under heavy police deployment. About 1,500 personnel were stationed along the route, which was lined with barricades, and traffic diversions were put in place on key central Kolkata roads.

Similar protests were held in district headquarters across the state. The demonstrations come just a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to West Bengal.

Referring to the nearly 22 lakh migrant workers from Bengal employed across India—many of whom carry valid identity documents like Aadhaar, Voter ID, and PAN cards—Banerjee said she would not stand by as they were subjected to humiliation or injustice.

“What gives the BJP the authority to harass and detain Bengalis, even going as far as forcibly deporting them to Bangladesh? Isn’t West Bengal a part of India?” she questioned.

Declaring that “extraordinary situations demand bold responses,” Banerjee concluded, “Let me put this plainly—we won’t resort to violence. But if the BJP doesn’t immediately stop targeting Bengalis, the Trinamool Congress knows how to make it stop.”