The public outrage in large parts of West Bengal, especially in the districts bordering Bangladesh, forced TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to speak out against the continued harassment of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Addressing the state Assembly, the TMC chief said everyone is concerned about the atrocities against Hindu minorities in the neighbouring country. Alluding to the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, she said: "A political party is trying to ignite a fire. Both communities must be watchful of this." Banerjee also responded to some provocative remarks from across the border.
A Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader recently slammed India and said that Bangladesh would lay claim to West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Another viral video showed two Bangladesh Army veterans claiming that soldiers of the neighbouring country could occupy Bengal within days. "You will occupy Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, and we will have lollipops? Don't even think that," Banerjee said.
The Chief Minister's remarks are politically significant against the backdrop of Bengal's political landscape. The BJP and its top state leader Suvendu Adhikari have launched a campaign with an eye on the Bangladesh situation.
Adhikari has been leading protests over the atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, apparently to consolidate support within the majority community in Bengal.
Banerjee's remarks, which did not name the Leader of the Opposition or the BJP, are an attempt to blunt the main Opposition's campaign while projecting the ruling party as composed and restrained amid flying tempers.
Even as the West Bengal Chief Minister tried to calm restive Hindu sentiment, especially since a large number of Hindus settled in the border districts have family members in Bangladesh, her party leaders have moved fast to ensure that such remarks do not alienate the Muslim vote bank of the party.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
₹G20' TO BE RELEASED IN APRIL ON PRIME
LOS ANGELES [US]: Viola Davis is all set to come up with the thriller 'G20'.
FREEZE 'THE WILD ROBOT' FRAME COMING ON JAN 24
Universal/DreamWorks Animation's highly anticipated animated feature, 'The Wild Robot', will be available for streaming on Peacock starting Friday, January 24.
BEER, BOOKS AND CONVERSATIONS: A CITY'S CULTURAL SOUL
FEMALE GAZE SANDHYA MENDONCA I find my city becoming duller by the year.
Hyundai teases Creta electric ahead of 2025 launch
Hyundai has officially teased the upcoming Creta Electric, its latest electric SUV, which is anticipated to launch at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Global Expo.
China proposes export controls on critical EV technology
China is planning to impose new export restrictions on technologies used to extract minerals vital for the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, signalling an escalation in its ongoing tech rivalry with the United States, CNN reported.
BAJAJ AUTO DOMESTIC SALES SLUMPED IN DECEMBER, OFFSET BY RISE IN EXPORTS
In December 2024, Bajaj Auto's total sales (including two-wheelers and commercial vehicles) stood at 3,23,125 units, marginally lower by 1 per cent compared to 3,26,806 units in December 2023.
M&M records 16 per cent increase in December sales
Automotive company Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M Ltd.) witnessed a 16 per cent increase in overall automotive sales, with 69,768 units in December, the company stated on Wednesday in its exchange filing.
Maruti registers 30 per cent increase in December sales
In December 2024, Maruti Suzuki India sold a total of 178,248 car units, which is about 30 per cent higher than a year ago period.
EVs READY TO FLY, NO NEED FOR FURTHER SUBSIDY: GOYAL
India's electric mobility space is \"absolutely ready to fly\" and there is no need for newer incentives or subsidies, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Friday, after a meeting with officials from various ministries and stakeholders of the Indian EV ecosystem.
LONELINESS: THE 21ST CENTURY PANDEMIC
We are born 'lonely'. When a child is born, the first instinct is to cry. This crying is not just a physical or biological reflex but also a psychological expression of distress. A newborn instinctively tries to hold onto something. If you offer your finger, the baby will grasp it tightly with its little fist. This inherent loneliness persists throughout a person's life-at three, thirteen, thirty, fifty, or eighty years old-craving something to hold on to. This is because the ego, the I-tendency we are born with, is by definition lonely.
