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India Today
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
How Martyrs' Day marked Mamata's rallying cry to defeat BJP in Bengal and beyond
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, in a powerful address at her party's flagship Martyrs' Day rally on July 21 in Kolkata, launched a combative attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of orchestrating a 'voter deletion' conspiracy to disenfranchise Bengali-speaking of a massive public uprising if such attempts were carried out in West Bengal, the chief minister alleged that the BJP had already removed over 4 million names in Bihar and now sought to replicate the exercise in her state. 'If you try that in Bengal, we will launch a gherao movement and a massive protest,' Mamata charged from the rally stage in the city's Dharmatala. 'We will not allow you to strike off names and push people into detention camps.'advertisementAccompanied by a thunderous applause from the crowd, Mamata declared the launch of 'Bhasha Andolan'—a campaign to defend Bangla language and identity. Beginning July 27, she announced, TMC workers will be holding weekend rallies and meetings to protest against what she described as the systemic targeting of Bengali-speaking people and mistreatment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states. 'If any migrant worker or their family says they are in trouble, stand by them and inform us,' Mamata urged party Martyrs' Day every year, the TMC commemorates the death of 13 people in police firing on July 21, 1993 during a protest being led by Mamata, then in the Congress. This year's rally, Mamata noted, witnessed a diverse gathering from all tiers of the party, including MPs, MLAs, grassroots leaders, panchayat members, families of martyrs—parents of Bitan Adhikari, who was killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and Jhantu Ali Sheikh, an Indian Army soldier killed in a counterterror operation in Jammu and Kashmir—and over 35 prominent sports the gathering was Uttam Kumar Brajabasi, a Rajbanshi man from Cooch Behar who, despite residing in Bengal for five decades, had received a National Register of Citizens (NRC)-related notice from the Assam government. 'What right does the BJP have to do this?' Mamata asked, claiming persecution of the Matua invoked the killing of 13 protesters during the July 21, 1993 voter ID agitation and portrayed that struggle as a landmark victory for democracy. 'No ID, no vote—that was our call. Democracy won that day. But this struggle is not over,' she declared. 'We will continue until we change Delhi and give the BJP a political farewell.'Mamata alleged the Election Commission (EC) and the Narendra Modi government were working in tandem to systematically delete voters, especially Bengali speakers, under the guise of countering illegal immigration. She cited a recent notification directing states to set up holding centres for alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar, calling it a move to intimidate people and erase their questioned the motive of the Union home ministry letter dated July 11, which instructs states to coordinate with central forces for voter verification. 'Why do we need central forces? The state police will work here. Guard your own borders, manage Kashmir first. If you think you can send people to jail for speaking Bengali, we are ready to die—but we won't let this happen,' she said. The chief minister also ridiculed the BJP's claim that 1.7 million Rohingyas reside in Bengal, countering it with UN figures and accusing the party of fabricating data to instill her government's performance, she listed a series of welfare schemes, including Khadya Sathi (free ration for 90 million people), Swasthya Sathi (health cards for every family), and Karmashree (employment for 7.7 million job card holders). She claimed that despite the Centre's decision to withhold MGNREGA funds, her government had created 830 million workdays Banglar Bari, 4.5 million homes had been built, she said, and another 1.6 million would be delivered by December. She cited schemes such as Shikshashree, Medhashree, Joy Johar and Tapasili Bandhu, and said her government had issued hundreds of thousands of land titles and constructed housing for minorities, tea garden workers and the urban allegations of youth migration due to unemployment, Mamata cited government data to argue that while 1.71 million people had left India between 2014 and 2025, no industrialist had left Bengal. 'In fact, they are coming because Bengal is doing well,' she accused the BJP of trying to appropriate Bengali culture and religious practices. 'You used to say we don't allow Durga Puja or Saraswati Puja. Now suddenly, you've remembered Ma Durga,' she said. Defending Bengal's pluralism, she added: 'We celebrate Christmas, Eid and all festivals. We respect all languages. Why then are you attacking Bengali? You think you can win hearts by speaking two words in Bengali from a teleprompter?'Pledging to escalate the resistance, Mamata called on TMC supporters to organise marches, meetings and sit-ins every weekend. 'Even if we are jailed, we will rise again as saplings and spread our roots in Delhi. You cannot stop us,' she said. And in a rallying cry for the assembly elections next year, she said, 'This time, we must win more seats. After that, Delhi will be our battlefield. The BJP must go. The people of Bengal will fight for their identity, for their language, and for justice.'Mamata's nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP of suppressing democratic rights and denigrating Bengali culture. He hailed Mamata as a leader who had restored democracy in Bengal and said the highest-ever turnout at this year's Martyrs' Day rally was a testament to the Trinamool's growing strength, not in money or media power but grassroots the 2024 Brigade Cholo rally, Abhishek said it showcased Trinamool's unmatched organisational capacity. He accused the BJP of vandalising the bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, mocking Rabindranath Tagore and insulting Bengal's culture. 'The BJP has only one identity—Bangla-Birodhi (anti-Bengal),' he declared. 'Is it our crime to speak in Bengali? The more we speak in Bengali, the more they get irritated. Be proud to speak in Bengali.'Highlighting the BJP's shifting cultural posture, Abhishek claimed the party had been forced to abandon its chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' for 'Joi Ma Kali' and 'Joi Ma Durga' in Bengal. 'Mark my words,' he said, 'in just 10 months, I will make them say Joi Bangla after the 2026 elections.'Abhishek challenged Prime Minister Modi, Home minister Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda to explain why no action had been taken against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly calling Bengali speakers 'Bangladeshi'. 'They're already cutting water and power in Jai Hind Colony in Delhi and attacking Bengalis elsewhere,' he alleged, adding that the TMC would resist any attempt to tamper with voter rolls and take to the streets if the EC and Enforcement Directorate as the BJP's twin instruments of suppression, Abhishek said they were being used to target Opposition leaders and disenfranchise citizens. 'But this land belongs to us. The certificate of citizenship will not be handed out by the PM or EC,' he said. Stressing on Bengal's inclusive ethos, he said non-Bengalis live peacefully in the state because it believes in unity in diversity. 'Those who play with fire will burn themselves,' he ended with a pledge: 'Let's see how much power they have. They want to send the people of Bengal to detention camps. We will put the BJP in a detention camp democratically in 2026.' His final words: 'Even if they slash our throats, we will say Joi Bangla and Trinamool Congress zindabad.'Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Temple politics in Bengal: How Mamata Banerjee is trying to counter BJP's 'Jai Ma Kali' push
NEW DELHI: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is often accused of appeasement politics by her opponents, seems to be charting new waters to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the political temperatures rise ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly election. In the recent bypoll in Nadia's Kaliganj assembly segment, BJP, which although lost the election, felt that the party had significant takeaway from the results - consolidation of Hindu votes. "We have been able to reap the benefits of assimilating Hindu votes in the region. The effort has paid off since we have received an overwhelming majority of votes from Hindu-dominated areas like Palassey," Suvendu Adhikari, leader of opposition, said. This perhaps explains Mamata's recent visible tilt towards soft Hindutva as she tries to do a course correction. With the grand inauguration of Rs 250 crore Jagannath Dham in April, and now the announcement of 'Durga Angan' project, Mamata is signaling a deliberate recalibration of her ideological narrative, long dominated by BJP. The 'Durga Angan' gambit With the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections looming, the chief minister has moved to the heart of the state's cultural and religious identity with her announcement to create 'Durga Angan', a grand year-round temple complex dedicated to Ma Durga. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's The Estimated Cost of a 1-day Walk-in Shower Upgrade Homebuddy Learn More Undo "Just as we developed Jagannath Dham, we will create 'Durga Angan' so that people can visit and experience it throughout the year," the TMC chief said. Interestingly, the announcement comes at a time when BJP is swiftly invoking Bengal centric religious symbols like 'Jai Ma Kali' and 'Jai Ma Durga' in its campaign narrative. On July 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the Goddesses at the beginning of his speech in Durgapur as he said that BJP is the only party that truly respects and protects Bengali 'ashmita' (pride). Later Banerjee, targeting PM directly during Martyrs' Day rally asked: "Why is it that you suddenly start remembering Ma Kali and Ma Durga only during the elections? Ma Durga is our revered goddess, and Durga Puja has even received international recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Now listen, just as we developed Jagannath Dham, we will create 'Durga Angan' so that people can visit and experience it throughout the year. " The CM, however, gave no timeline or details of the project. BJP slams TMC's Hindu symbolism Soon after Mamata's announcement, BJP slammed the decision as unconstitutional, alleging misuse of public funds to promote religion and branding it a political ploy to woo Hindu votes traditionally gravitating toward BJP. Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly, asked, "No religious institution - temple, mosque, church or gurudwara - can be built using taxpayers' money." He accused Mamata of misusing public funds and ignoring constitutional benchmarks. He further added, "She hasn't read the Constitution, nor does she understand her own religion. She must educate herself before making such statements." TMC defends its faith credentials TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta, in rebuttal, pointed out Mamata Banerjee's long-standing spiritual affinity and said, "She performed Kali Puja at home even before entering politics. Building temples like Jagannath Dham or Durga Angan stems from genuine faith." He also cited prior state support for thousands of grassroots Durga Pujas and securing a Unesco heritage tag for the festival as evidence of the TMC's longstanding cultural engagement. "She has supported thousands of grassroots Durga Pujas with financial grants and helped secure UNESCO's heritage tag for the festival. She even organises the annual Durga Puja Carnival. Does that not count? BJP mocks Jagannath Dham as a 'theme park' and now questions her faith, people will judge them," he added. Why temple projects matter for TMC In West Bengal, the BJP election campaigns have focused on alleged Muslim appeasement by TMC, drawing support from Hindu voters. This has been especially effective in districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, and North 24 Parganas. As Mamata government fights the aftermath of recent riots in Murshidabad, rapes in Kolkata medical college and B-school, the temple projects help TMC's double strategy of blending soft Hindutva symbolism with welfare-centric politics. These moves also come at a time when BJP has brought in Samik Bhattacharya, a staunch party loyalist with deep RSS roots to lead BJP state unit president marking a strategic move by the central leadership to stabilise the state unit amid internal rifts and prepare it for the 2026 Assembly elections. Since the BJP's 2021 assembly poll defeat, the organisation has suffered desertions, infighting, and setbacks in the 2023 Panchayat polls, 2024 Lok Sabha elections and recent bypoll in Kaliganj. In the 2021 assembly elections, TMC secured 48.02% vote share and 215 out of 292 seats, while BJP captured 37.97% but only 77 seats. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, TMC won 29 of 42 seats with approximately 45.76% vote share, up from around 43.3% in 2019; BJP fell to 12 seats with 38.73%, from 40.7% in 2019. While TMC retains advantage, Mamata's recent turn toward Hindu imagery appears bipartisan in purpose: a fence-mending strategy with Hindu voters while reinforcing her base among minority groups and welfare beneficiaries. As Banerjee positions herself at the cross-section of symbolism and state resources, her gamble may well be to preempt BJP's Hindutva allure. For now, the electoral arithmetic still favors TMC, but the game is tightening. In Bengal's increasingly polarised politics, religious symbolism is now a shared battlefield, and Mamata is choosing to play offense.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP accuses Lalu, Mamata of supporting infiltrators
Patna: BJP leader and deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said the same RJD chief Lalu Prasad and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee , who once opposed the illegal immigrants in 1992 and 2005 respectively, are today supporting them. He said the then Bihar CM Lalu and the then TMC MP Mamata had advocated to expel the infiltrators from the country. "But today, for vote bank politics, they want to keep lakhs of infiltrators in the voter list and are opposing the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. Choudhary called it their double standards and anti-national politics of the opposition and said the people of Bihar understand the difference between their words and action. The senior BJP leader said the SIR is a transparent and democratic process. "Its purpose is to identify people included in the voter list illegally, so that the sanctity of the Indian election system is maintained," he said. Citing a news item published on Sept 29,1992, he said Lalu, along with the CMs of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh among the other states, had attended a high-level meeting called by the then home minister SB Chauhan in Delhi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo "Lalu had prominently raised the issue of infiltration and demanded the central govt to take effective steps to stop illegal entry from Bangladesh. He had said infiltrators were buying immovable property in India and this should be stopped. He had also said identity cards should be issued to Indian citizens in the border states so that infiltrators could be identified and expelled from the country," Choudhary claimed. "Similarly, in 2005, Mamata had also said the Left Front govt was making Bangladeshi infiltrators voters in West Bengal. Mamata, along with George Fernandes and Rajnath Singh, had met the then President, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam and handed over evidence of irregularities in the voter list of West Bengal," he said. "Today, when the SIR is being done in Bihar for this transparency, the same leaders and parties of the opposition are against it. It shows that due to vote bank politics, now even the infiltrators have become their favourites," he alleged.
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Mamata sets stage for 'Bangaliyana vs Hindutva', asks TMC workers to launch stir against BJP's linguistic terror
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of unleashing 'linguistic terrorism' on Bengalis across the country and called for a movement to protect the language and cultural identity of the state against such onslaughts by the saffron party. With the assembly elections in West Bengal less than a year away, Mamata not only blew the poll bugle with a no-holds-barred offensive against the BJP but also set the TMC's strategy to counter the saffron party's aggressive Hindutva with an assertive Bangaliyana. As she addressed a mammoth congregation of the TMC workers at the party's annual Martyrs' Day event in Kolkata to pay homage to the 13 people killed in police firing on July 21, 1993, while demanding fair polls, the TMC supremo also warned the BJP against using the Election Commission to manipulate the electoral rolls..'Being born Bengali has become crime in BJP states': CM Mamata Banerjee amid migrant party's general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, said that he and other parliamentarians of the TMC would now speak only in Bengali in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. 'We will not kowtow before any attempt by the BJP to erase Bengali.' 'We must win more seats in the 2026 assembly polls (in West Bengal) and then march to Delhi to oust the BJP from power at the Centre,' the TMC supremo said, coining the 'Jabda Habe, Stabdha Habe' (we will trounce them, silence them) as her party's new war cry for the 2026 assembly polls, moving on from the 'khela habe (game is on)'. The TMC over the past few weeks stepped up its attacks on the governments of the BJP-ruled states for the detention of migrant workers from West Bengal by police and, in some cases, even deportation to Bangladesh, often allegedly disregarding their claim of being genuine citizens of India. Mamata, the chief minister of West Bengal since 2011, on Monday accused the BJP-led governments in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat and Delhi of harassing migrant workers from her state only because they spoke in their mother language to witness 'artificial fight' between Modi and Mamata as polls nearing: Adhir.'The BJP wants to erase our identity, language, culture and pride. But I promise you, till the time we oust them from the Centre, our fight will continue,' she said. 'In 2019, they vandalised the statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. They saw the results of that audacious act of insulting Bengali icons (in the 2021 assembly polls). Now, they have issued notifications to delete Bengali names from voter lists. In BJP-ruled states, Bengalis are being harassed and put in detention camps,' alleged the TMC supremo. 'If needed, there will be a second Bhasha Andolan (language movement) against the BJP's terrorism on the Bengali language... From July 27, a movement will start in Bengal to protest the attack on Bengalis, Bengali language and 'Bhasha Santras' (linguistic terrorism) of the BJP,' she said, adding: 'This language movement will continue till the end of the assembly polls.' The first 'Bhasha Andolan' had taken place in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1952 to protest the imposition of Urdu and sidelining of Bengali in the eastern part of Pakistan. A police crackdown had resulted in the death of at least 29 protesting students on February 21, 1952. The United Nations later declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day..'BJP is watching': Suvendu cautions police officers 'siding' with TMC.'(West) Bengal is home to nearly 1.5 crore migrants from other states. We welcome people from all over India. But look at what the BJP is doing to Bengalis (in the states ruled by it),' said Mamata. She called upon the TMC workers to be very cautious to resist attempts by the BJP and the EC to erase names of legitimate voters of West Bengal from the electoral rolls of the state and instead enroll people from other BJP-ruled states. 'The BJP and the EC are conspiring against (West) Bengal. They want to do in Bengal what they did in Bihar through SIR (Special Intensive Revision). In Bihar, they have deleted the names of 40 lakh voters. If they try it here, we will gherao them. We will never allow it,' she said.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
News18 Daily Digest, July 21: Parliament Heat Odisha Horror
In today's News18 Daily Digest: Parliaments Monsoon Session kicks off amid opposition fire; Odisha horror sparks national outrage; Mamata leads Bengali pride charge at TMC rally; Rahul's CPI(M)-RSS comparison triggers alliance friction; Kanwar Yatra row heats up in UP; Priyadarshini Mattoo case resurfaces, and more. Tune in for top news from India and around the world...
