A complaint has been lodged with the Delhi Police against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by Vineet Jindal, a practicing lawyer at the Supreme Court. The complaint pertains to statements made by Banerjee during a recent Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMC) event, which Jindal argues are provocative and could incite unrest.
In the complaint, Vineet Jindal cites Banerjee’s remarks made during a public meeting with TMC student wing members, where she allegedly said, “Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.” Jindal contends that these statements are inflammatory, anti-national, and designed to stir regional hatred and enmity, potentially undermining national harmony and public order.
Jindal’s complaint underscores the gravity of Banerjee’s position as Chief Minister, asserting that her influential role could amplify the impact of her statements. He argues that her remarks pose a threat to national integrity and sovereignty, suggesting that her words could incite violence and hatred, jeopardizing national stability.
The complaint also emphasizes that, given Banerjee’s administrative and law enforcement authority in West Bengal, her statements could be seen as an attempt to misuse this power to provoke widespread unrest both within the state and beyond.
Jindal requests that an FIR be registered under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the Indian Penal Code, which address offenses related to public order and safety. These sections cover serious, cognizable offenses, and Jindal seeks legal action based on the perceived intent of Banerjee’s remarks to create disharmony and foster hatred among the populace.
This development follows Banerjee’s condemnation of the BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh,’ which she described as an effort to “defame” West Bengal.
Addressing the TMC’s Chhatra Parishad foundation day event in Kolkata, Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using his party to ignite conflict in Bengal over the recent rape and murder of a Kolkata woman doctor. She stated, “Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair.”
Mamata Banerjee’s remarks have drawn criticism from BJP leaders, further fueling the political controversy.