“I don’t believe in that ganda dharm of BJP”: Mamata Banerjee
Political tensions have escalated in West Bengal after an FIR was filed against Mamata Banerjee in Siliguri over remarks she allegedly made during an Eid gathering in Kolkata last year. The complaint accuses Banerjee of hurting religious sentiments after she reportedly referred to the BJP’s version of religion as “ganda dharm” while criticising the party.
The complaint was lodged by advocate Rinki Chatterjee Singh at the Siliguri Cyber Police Station. According to the FIR, Banerjee allegedly said, “I do not believe in that ganda dharma of the BJP,” while drawing a contrast between the BJP’s ideology and the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, whom she described as symbols of harmony and inclusiveness.
The FIR invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to intentional insult, criminal intimidation, and promoting enmity between communities. The complainant alleged that the remarks offended followers of Sanatan Dharma and could potentially disturb communal harmony in the state.
The controversy has further intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal, with BJP leaders accusing Banerjee of insulting Hindu sentiments for political gain. Senior BJP figures, including Suvendu Adhikari, strongly criticised her remarks and demanded action.
So far, Banerjee has not issued a detailed response to the FIR. The development has once again brought attention to the increasingly charged political and communal discourse in West Bengal ahead of the next phase of political realignment in the state.
