Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s controversial remarks on Hinduism has triggered a political uproar. Addressing an Eid prayer at Kolkata’s Red Road on March 31, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of distorting the religion for their political gain. "BJP is making Hindu dharam ‘ganda dharam’ (Hindu religion is an impure religion)," she said, alleging the party of 'devisive politics'.
In response to Banerjee's remarks, BJP's national spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a video of himself, calling her out for "openly insulting Hinduism". Alleging that her remarks were a "deliberate attempt to appease radical elements", Bhandari also called out TMC for its "communal politics."
Have a look at his statement here:
Bhadari wrote in his post, "Mamata Banerjee’s anti-Hindu hate knows no bounds! She calls Hindu Dharam, Ganda Dharam. Even after the Mothabari horror, where Hindus were brutally attacked, their shops looted, and families terrorised, Mamata’s government did NOTHING—no arrests, no action, just silence."
"This is not incompetence; this is deliberate appeasement of radical elements. And now, Mamata dares to call ‘Hindu Dharma’ a ‘ganda dharam’? Is this the peak of TMC’s communal politics? First, she lets communal mobs run wild, now she openly insults Hinduism! Don’t forget how Kolkata’s Mayor openly bats for Shariat," he added.
What Did Banerjee Say At the Event?
During her address at the event, Banerjee criticised the BJP’s "jumla politics", accusing the party of using divisive tactics to create rifts among people. “If they have problems with the minorities, will they change the Constitution of the country,” she asked.
Defending her religious identity, the TMC leader added, “I was asked if I am a Hindu. I said, I am a Hindu, I am a Muslim, I am a Sikh, I am an Indian. What can you do? They want to divide and rule, but we won’t let that happen.”
Additionally, she urged people to stay vigilant against provocations that could lead to communal unrest in the state. "Provocations are being made to fuel riots, but please don't fall into these traps. The West Bengal government stands with the minorities. No one can provoke tensions in the state,” she added.
