News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/16th July 2024
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly condemned the controversial comments made by BJP leaders about Prophet Muhammad. Describing the remarks as “hate speech,” Banerjee asserted that they have fueled violence and disrupted the secular fabric of the country.
The controversy began when BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma made contentious comments about Prophet Muhammad during a TV show. Following public outcry, the BJP suspended Sharma and issued a statement emphasizing its respect for all religions and denouncing insults to any religious figure. Additionally, the party expelled its Delhi unit media head, Naveen Kumar Jindal, for his supportive tweets.
“I condemn the recent heinous and atrocious hate speech remarks by a few disastrous BJP leaders, resulting in not only the spread of violence but also the division of the fabric of the country, leading to the disturbance of peace and amity,” Banerjee tweeted. She demanded the immediate arrest of the BJP leaders involved to maintain national unity and prevent public distress.
Banerjee also called for communal harmony, urging people of all religions and communities to remain peaceful despite provocations. “At the same time, I appeal to all my brothers and sisters from all castes, creeds, religions, and communities to maintain peace in the larger interest of the common people, despite the provocation which we so strongly condemn,” she tweeted.
The Chief Minister highlighted past instances where Nupur Sharma had made false claims about West Bengal. Sharma had previously tweeted that a woman was assaulted in Basirhat, but an investigation revealed the incident occurred in Bangladesh. Banerjee reiterated her call for the arrest of the BJP leaders, suggesting that their appropriate place would be “Tihar jail.”
In response to the BJP leaders’ remarks, protests erupted across West Bengal. Addressing these protests, Banerjee stressed that Bengal should not bear the brunt of communal politics driven by narrow political ambitions. “Why should we suffer due to the communal politics of some with an aim for narrow political gains?” she questioned. She urged protesters to avoid disrupting national highways in Bengal and suggested they protest in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat instead.
Banerjee’s statements come amid growing tensions and protests sparked by the BJP leaders’ remarks, reflecting broader concerns about communal harmony and political rhetoric in India. The Chief Minister’s calls for peace and accountability underscore the need for careful handling of sensitive issues to maintain national unity and public tranquility.
