“Transforming Bengal into Bangladesh”
Speaking to the media, Union Minister Giriraj Singh expressed “stark criticism” of the West Bengal government’s handling of cross-border issues. His remarks followed the brutal public lynching of Dipu Chandra Das and another Hindu man in Bangladesh over unverified blasphemy claims.
- The Allegation: Singh claimed that while Hindus face persecution in Bangladesh, the TMC government is allegedly “giving employment” to illegal infiltrators.
- The Quote: “Mamata Banerjee wants to transform Bengal into Bangladesh for politics… She wants to be the CM of Bangladeshis,” Singh stated, demanding a high-level investigation into the settlement of undocumented immigrants and Rohingyas in the state.
The BJP’s Challenge to TMC
BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli echoed these sentiments, challenging the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to provide a roadmap for the removal of illegal immigrants.
“Strict action has to happen against the accused [in Bangladesh]. However, now that TMC has spoken, perhaps they can let the nation know what they are doing in West Bengal to remove illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas,” Kohli remarked.
MEA’s Grim Data: 2,900 Incidents of Violence
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially moved beyond diplomatic pleasantries, providing a detailed breakdown of the hostility faced by Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists in Bangladesh.
- The Statistics: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal revealed that more than 2,900 documented cases of violence—including murder, arson, and land grabbing—have occurred under the tenure of the current interim government.
- The Stance: India has categorically rejected claims that these reports are “media exaggerations.” Jaiswal emphasized that the sustained hostility cannot be dismissed as mere political friction and called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators in the Mymensingh killing.
Protests Hit the Streets of Kolkata
The political war of words has translated into massive grassroots demonstrations. On Friday, thousands of saffron-clad activists and pro-Hindu organizations flooded the streets of Kolkata.
- The Demands: Protesters called for an immediate cessation of atrocities and urged the Indian government to exert stronger diplomatic or economic pressure on Dhaka.
- Assam & West Bengal: Both border states remain on high alert as civil society groups demand accountability for the “slaughter” of minority garment workers and youths in Bangladesh.