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'If Bengal Burns...Assam Will Too': Mamata Banerjee's Warning!

Amid escalating tensions over the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old doctor in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning on Wednesday.

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By Kanan Parmar in News
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KOLKATA RAPE CASE

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Amid escalating tensions over the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old doctor in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning on Wednesday, stating, "Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn."

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Banerjee's caution sparked backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which intensified its demand for her resignation, arguing that such "anti-national comments" are unbecoming of someone holding a constitutional position. Union Minister and Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar also lodged a complaint with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing Banerjee of inciting violence in Kolkata on Wednesday. Majumdar's letter stated, "CM Mamata Banerjee, during her address to the Student Wing of TMC today in Kolkata, shamelessly incited the gathering, declaring, ‘I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done.’ This is nothing less than a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state." He added, "I respectfully urge you to take cognizance of this serious matter and initiate appropriate actions to address the situation, uphold the rule of law, and maintain public order." 

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In response to Banerjee's warning about the potential wider impact of the unrest, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reacted strongly, saying, "Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don't show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not befit you to speak divisive language." Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also condemned Banerjee's remarks and demanded that she publicly apologize to the Northeast and the rest of the nation.

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Singh stated, "How dare Didi threaten the Northeast? I condemn such irresponsible remarks in the strongest terms. She must publicly apologize to the Northeast and the rest of the nation. Mamata Ji must immediately stop inciting violence and hatred with divisive politics. It is highly unbecoming of a political leader to issue threats of violence on a public platform." Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charam Majhi also joined Sarma and Biren Singh in questioning Banerjee, asking, "Who gave you the right to make such objectionable remarks about Odisha?"

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https://x.com/amitmalviya/status/1828742156883771557

Majhi added, "Odisha is a peaceful state, and the people of Odisha are responsible and aware. Our people of Odisha will never accept your hateful attitude, negative comments, and insensitive attitude towards our state. The comments you are making are dangerous for the country, especially when justice has not been served for the victim of a heinous crime. Please refrain from this and keep calm." Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said, "CM Mamata Banerjee shamelessly made anti-national remarks today, saying, ‘Remember, if Bengal burns, then Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn.’ This isn't the voice of someone holding a constitutional position; it's the voice of an anti-national."

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Majhi continued, "Her statement is a clear attempt to threaten, incite violence, and sow hatred among the people. She no longer deserves to hold such an important position. Mamata Banerjee must resign immediately." BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also criticized Banerjee, tweeting, "A cornered Mamata Banerjee has declared war on the people of West Bengal, who are holding her to account in the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. The deceased could have been our sister or daughter, but Mamata wants more blood." He added, "Once a proponent of the ‘Bodol noy, Bodla Chai’ mantra, Mamata Banerjee has now brazenly shifted her stance, openly calling for the very vengeance she once purported to abhor." 

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also condemned Banerjee's comments, stating, "A call to violence by an elected Chief Minister is the greatest betrayal of the people’s mandate!"

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticized the Bengal Chief Minister, saying, "Mamata Didi, your frustration is justified. After all, your government and police are being exposed every day in the Kolkata rape-murder case." 

In response to the outrage, Mamata Banerjee announced that her party, the Trinamool Congress, will pass a bill on anti-rape laws, ensuring capital punishment for the rapist within seven days of the crime. She also warned of a protest, saying, "Next week, we will call an Assembly session and pass the bill within 10 days. We will send this bill to the Governor (CV Ananda Bose). If he doesn’t pass it, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This bill must be passed, and he cannot evade accountability this time."

BJP leaders responded sharply to Banerjee’s statement, with one remarking, "You have made Bengal a bastion of anarchy, violence, and bad governance. But unlike Bengal, in BJP-ruled states, goons, anarchists, and criminals are not protected but dealt with by the law’s bulldozer."

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