Mamata Blames BJP, RSS for Stirring Communal Tensions

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of orchestrating a “vicious false campaign” and instigating communal violence in the state. In an open letter made public late at night, Banerjee appealed for peace and unity between communities, while alleging that the BJP and its affiliates were attempting to divide the population through provocative actions.

Referring specifically to the recent violence in Murshidabad, where three people were killed, several others injured, and properties vandalized during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Banerjee stated, “These forces are using the backdrop of an unfortunate incident that happened on provocation. They are using the backdrop to play divisive politics. They are planning to play the ‘divide and rule’ game. This is sinister.”

She directly named the RSS for the first time in this context, stating, “BJP and its allies have suddenly become very aggressive in West Bengal. These allies include RSS. I have not taken the RSS’s name earlier, but I am being forced now to identify them. Together, they all have initiated a vicious false campaign in the state.”

Banerjee warned that the violence and disturbances were being used to distract the public from economic challenges. “Our detractors do not want employment, development, creativity – their only interest is to ensure price rise, to enhance costs of medicines, hospital charges and insurance premium, to increase the price of petrol, diesel and even domestic cooking gas,” she said. “Jealousy has no cure. The jealous cannot go beyond their narrow vision.”

The Chief Minister asserted that those responsible for the riots were being pursued by law enforcement. “The criminals behind the riots are being strongly dealt with,” she said, adding, “Two police officers-in-charge have been removed. Police is investigating. Further actions are being taken. Please remember that riots are created neither by Hindus, nor by Muslims, riots are engineered by criminals. Strict actions will be taken against all criminals. No one will be spared.”

Appealing to the public to remain united and vigilant, Banerjee said, “The majority and the minority communities must work together and take care of each other. We love all. We want to stay together. We condemn riots. We are against riots. They want to divide us for some narrow electoral politics.”

She claimed that BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan do not permit protest rallies, which she described as “anti-Constitutional”, in contrast to West Bengal. “When they use bulldozers in UP, agony comes. In contrast, in West Bengal, when someone suffers, we help. That is our approach in West Bengal. No community will be disturbed or adversely affected in West Bengal. We strongly condemn such disturbances,” she said.

Banerjee also alleged that “they had originally planned to use the Ram Navami day for playing with fire, but the Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal have been most peaceful. Then they tried to use some subsequent matters relating to the agitations against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.”

She further warned, “Those who create riots always come from outside and then go away. We from inside have to now fight against their bad deeds. We shall together survive and win.”

In her concluding remarks, the Chief Minister urged citizens to remain calm and united. “Finally, my appeal to everyone again is: stay calm, stay united. Do not give in to mistrust and distrust. Do not be diverted by their false communal rhetoric,” she added. 

 

(With inputs from IANS)

 

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