‘If Bengal Burns…Assam Will Too’: Mamata’s Warning Draws BJP Ire, Himanta Says ‘Don’t Try To Set India On Fire’

Amid rising tensions over the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old doctor in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday issued a strong warning and said, “Remember if Bengal is burned, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also be burned.”

However, Banerjee’s caution received backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), intensifying their demand for her resignation stating that such “anti-national comments isn’t the voice of someone holding a constitutional position”. Union minister and Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar also wrote a complaint letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah against Mamata Banerjee for advocating violence in Kolkata on Wednesday.

“CM Mamata Banerjee during her address to the Student Wing of TMC today in Kolkata where she shamelessly incited gathering, declaring, ‘I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done.’ This is nothing less than a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state,” the letter written by Majumdar read.

“I respectfully urge you to take cognizance of this serious matter and initiate appropriate actions to address the situation and uphold the rule of law and maintain public order,” he added.

Responding to Banerjee’s caution regarding the far-reaching consequences of the unrest beyond the state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not befit you to speak divisive language.”

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was also fumed with Banerjee’s remark and demanded that she must publicly apologise to the Northeast and the rest of the nation for her remarks. 

“How dare Didi threaten the Northeast? I condemn such irresponsible remarks in the strongest terms. She must publicly apologize to the Northeast and the rest of the nation. Mamata Ji must immediately stop inciting violence and hatred with divisive politics. It is highly unbecoming of a political leader to issue threats of violence on a public platform.”

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charam Majhi too joined the Sarma and Biren Singh and questioned Banerjee, “Who gave you the right to make such objectionable remarks about Odisha?”

“Odisha is a peaceful state, the people of Odisha are also responsible and aware. Our people of Odisha will never accept your hateful attitude, negative comments and insensitive attitude towards our state Odisha. The comment you are making is dangerous for the country, without giving justice to the victim of a heinous crime, taking revenge. Please refrain from this. Keep calm,” he said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came amid mounting criticism over her handling of the ongoing situation in Bengal, with opposition parties accusing her of failing to maintain law and order.

BJP Attacks Mamata, Calls For Her Resignation

Union minister and Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar called out Mamata Banerjee for her remarks and demanded her resignation from the Chief Minister’s post, stating that her caution sounds like the voice of an anti-national.

Taking to X, he said, “CM Mamata Banerjee shamelessly makes anti-national remarks today, saying, ‘Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.’ This isn’t the voice of someone holding a constitutional position; it’s the voice of an anti-national.”

“Her statement is a clear attempt to threaten, incite violence, and sow hatred among the people. She no longer deserves to hold such an important position. Mamata Banerjee must resign immediately,” he added.

Launching an attack on Banerjee, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted, “A cornered Mamata Banerjee has declared war on the people of West Bengal, who are holding her to account in the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. The deceased could have been our sister or daughter but Mamata wants more blood.”

“Once a proponent of the ‘Bodol noy, Bodla Chai’ mantra, Mamata Banerjee now brazenly shifted her stance, openly calling for the very vengeance, she once purported to abhor,” he added.

Union minister Piyush Goyal also slammed Banerjee over her comments and said, “A call to violence by an elected Chief Minister is the greatest betrayal of the people’s mandate!”

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hit out at the Bengal Chief Minister and said, “Mamata Didi, your frustration is justified. After all, your government and police are being exposed every day in the Kolkata rape-murder case.”

“You have made Bengal a bastion of anarchy, violence and bad governance. But unlike Bengal, in BJP-ruled states, goons, anarchist elements and criminals are not given the protection of love, the law’s bulldozer is used on them,” he added.

‘Will Pass Anti-rape Laws’: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her party (Trinamool Congress) will pass a bill on anti-rape laws, enabling capital punishment for the accused.

“We will pass a bill on anti-rape laws, that would secure capital punishment for the rapist within seven days of the crime,” Mamata Banerjee said.

Also warning of a protest, the Chief Minister said, “Next week, we will call an Assembly session and pass the bill within 10 days. We will send this bill to the Governor (CV Ananda Bose). If he doesn’t pass, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This bill must be passed and he cannot evade accountability this time.”