West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a clarification following allegations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that she threatened medical students involved in protests against the recent rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Banerjee denied these accusations, stating that her comments were misrepresented.
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee stated, “I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic, and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students’ programme yesterday.” She emphasized that she did not speak against the medical students or their movement and fully supports their cause, describing it as genuine. “The allegation that I threatened them is completely false,” she added.
Banerjee clarified that her criticism was targeted at the BJP, accusing them of attempting to destabilize democracy in West Bengal with support from the central government. “I have spoken against the BJP because they are threatening democracy in our state and trying to create anarchy,” she explained. Banerjee alleged that the BJP, with backing from the Centre, was trying to foster lawlessness in West Bengal.
Addressing a specific phrase she used in her speech, Banerjee explained that it was a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva, which underscores the necessity of raising one’s voice against wrongdoing. She clarified that her comments were not directed at the medical community but were meant to highlight the need for standing up against injustices.
During her speech, Banerjee also urged protesting doctors to resume their duties, emphasizing her patience throughout the ongoing situation. Meanwhile, the BJP accused Banerjee of threatening the doctors and compared her remarks to those of a dictator, drawing parallels with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Banerjee’s comments came amid the BJP’s 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ call, where she criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly using his party to incite unrest in West Bengal. She warned that the repercussions of such actions could extend beyond the state, affecting other regions across India.
The dispute has further fueled tensions between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, as both parties continue to exchange allegations in the wake of the recent events in Kolkata.
