Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks about the Border Security Force (BSF). Singh accused Banerjee of attempting to transform West Bengal into a region resembling Bangladesh.
“Mamata Banerjee wants to make West Bengal like Bangladesh. That is why she is accusing the BSF, which protects the country on the border. Bangladeshi Muslims and Rohingyas are being settled in West Bengal, and their number now surpass those of the local Muslim population. If she has some courage, she should implement NRC and CAA in West Bengal,” Singh said to reporters.
Banerjee, in her comments on Thursday, alleged that the BSF was complicit in facilitating the entry of militants and infiltrators from Bangladesh into West Bengal. Addressing a State Administrative Review Meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar in Kolkata, she accused the central government of orchestrating these activities through the BSF.
“The border is guarded by the BSF, not by TMC. They are sending goons and people who murder others through the border. This is an inside job by the BSF, and it is a blueprint of the Central Government. If there was no blueprint from the Centre, then it would not be possible,” Banerjee remarked.
She claimed that the alleged infiltration was not the responsibility of her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), but rather the BSF’s duty. She also accused the BSF of committing atrocities against women in border regions such as Islampur, Sitai, and Chopra.
“BSF is allowing people to enter through Islampur, Sitai, Chopra, and many other regions. The border is in the hands of BSF. BSF is also causing atrocities against women. If anyone feels that they will allow infiltrators to come into Bengal and put the blame on the TMC, it is not the TMC. The TMC is not responsible; it is the BSF’s duty,” Banerjee added.
The Chief Minister reiterated that her government had repeatedly raised these issues with the central government. While she stated her willingness to follow the Centre’s policies, she warned that her party would protest any action enabling militants to disrupt the state’s peace and stability.
“I have repeatedly spoken to the Central Government. What they decide will be our path, but we will protest against them if they facilitate militants to disrupt the state. We will also send a protest letter to the Centre for this,” she asserted.
The exchange comes amid reports of increased infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals into West Bengal, leading to heightened political tensions in the region.