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A police complaint has been lodged against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, fueled by her recent remarks warning Prime Minister Narendra Modi of potential repercussions for other states if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stirred up trouble in Bengal. The complaint, filed by Supreme Court lawyer Vineet Jindal with the Delhi Police Commissioner, alleges that Banerjee's statement constitutes a threat and incites violence. Copies of the complaint have also been forwarded to the President's office and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The complaint cites sections 152, 192, 196, and 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertain to offenses like wrongful restraint, intentional insult or provocation, and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from duty. Jindal, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the complaint alleges Banerjee's statement as a threat to public peace and order, arguing that her words could incite violence and unrest in other states.
Banerjee's controversial remarks followed a recent protest by junior doctors in West Bengal. The doctors, angered by the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, demanded justice and improved security measures in hospitals. Banerjee, in her response to the protest, warned Modi that if the BJP attempted to instigate trouble in Bengal, it would have consequences for other states. This warning, delivered with the phrase, “If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn!” sparked immediate controversy and accusations of incitement.
While Banerjee later clarified that her remarks were directed at the BJP-led Centre and not at the protesting medical students, her initial statement has fueled political tension and further solidified the already strained relationship between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Banerjee. The incident underscores the deeply divisive political climate in India, with political rhetoric often escalating to inflammatory statements and accusations, blurring the lines between legitimate criticism and threats.
Source: Police complaint filed against Mamata over 'if Bengal burns' warning to PM Modi