West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday launched a sharp attack on opposition parties in the wake of the recent violence in Mothabari, Malda district. Speaking at an Eid gathering in Kolkata, Banerjee reaffirmed her commitment to preventing communal clashes and accused political parties of inciting unrest.
“We are secular. Navratri is going on, and I extend my best wishes for that as well. But we do not want riots to take place. Common people do not engage in such things; only political parties do. This is a matter of shame,” she said.
In a veiled reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], she claimed that the two had joined forces. “Earlier, the ‘Laal’ (Red) party used to talk about secularism. Today, ‘Laal’ and ‘Gerua’ (Saffron) have united. We will fight alone. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for all religions. The duty of the majority is to protect the minority, and the duty of the minority is to stay with the majority,” Banerjee declared.
Her remarks followed the March 27 violence in Mothabari, which led to 61 arrests and an internet shutdown in three areas. Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order Jawed Shamim assured that the situation was now under control.
“The situation in Mothabari is completely under control. So far, 19 cases have been registered, and 61 people have been arrested. There have been no fresh incidents of violence today,” Shamim told ANI.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Mamata Banerjee of failing to maintain law and order in the state. He alleged that Hindu religious events and properties were being selectively targeted by mobs while the police remained passive.
“Mamata Banerjee is pushing West Bengal toward a dangerous transformation—one that mirrors Bangladesh’s past. The BJP will not allow her to succeed,” Malviya stated in a post on X.
The political blame game over the Mothabari violence highlights the deepening divide in Bengal’s political landscape, as tensions continue to simmer ahead of the upcoming elections.
