Delhi Police have received a complaint against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vineet Jindal. The complaint pertains to the recent speech of Banerjee at a Trinamool Chhatra Parishad event, during which, according to Jindal, she made provocative remarks that triggered unrest.
The gist of the complaint by Jindal is in the following statement of Banerjee: “Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.” Jindal believes that these words are inflammatory, and provocative of regional hatred and enmity. He also says her remarks were hurtful to national harmony and public order.
Jindal underlined the fact that Banerjee is a Chief Minister and hence her statement carried more seriousness. Being Chief Minister, she wields much power and influence on the mindset of the public at large in West Bengal, even on law enforcement. According to Jindal, such remarks might misuse this authority to incite unrest not only in her state but also across other regions as well.
The complaint has prayed for lodging an FIR under Sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the BNS Act. These are offenses classified as serious and cognizable. Jindal, a Delhi resident, said Banerjee’s provocative statement is designed to create disharmony and hatred amongst the masses in India.
The incident comes close on the heels of Banerjee’s criticism of a BJP-organized 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’. Speaking at the foundation day program of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad in Kolkata, Banerjee denounced the bandh as an attempt to “defame” Bengal. She accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of unleashing his party. To instigate an agitation in the case relating to the rape and murder of a Kolkata woman doctor.
Mamata Banerjee said, “Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But Bangladesh and India are separate countries. 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.”
Her comment has drawn objections from BJP Chief Ministers, further escalating the political tussle.
ANI