Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, condemning his statement about Muslim MLAs and accusing the opposition BJP of spreading “fake Hinduism” in the state.
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, allegedly remarked that if the BJP comes to power next year, Muslim MLAs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would be “thrown out” of the state assembly.
‘Your Imported Hinduism is Fake’: Mamata Banerjee
Banerjee dismissed the BJP’s interpretation of Hinduism, claiming it was not aligned with the Vedas or teachings of Hindu seers.
“Your imported Hindu dharma is not supported by the Vedas or our seers. How can you deny the rights of Muslims as citizens? This is nothing but a fraud. You are importing fake Hinduism,” she declared.
The TMC supremo further criticized the BJP for using religious sentiments for political gains, asserting that her version of Hinduism was not divisive like that of the BJP.
‘Don’t Play the Hindu Card’: Mamata’s Message to BJP
Mamata Banerjee rejected the BJP’s narrative on religion, stating:
“I have the right to protect Hindu dharma, but not your version of it. Please don’t play the Hindu card.”
She also questioned Adhikari’s remark about the Hindu population ousting the TMC from power, asking:
“How can your leader say that when Muslims win, you people will remove them from the assembly? How can they dismiss 33 per cent of the population?”
‘We Protect All Religions’: Banerjee
Referring to secular leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Banerjee emphasized West Bengal’s inclusive policies, saying:
“This is a country with its own policies, and I do not speak against it. We have 23 per cent tribal brothers and sisters in the state, alongside other communities, including Muslims. We are committed to protecting all religions and promoting peace.”
She accused the BJP of dividing people along religious lines while ignoring the true message of humanity.
“Do not engage in deceit in the name of religion. I condemn those who divide people based on religion. They speak of Hindus and Muslims but ignore the true message of humanity,” she added.
TMC Distances Itself from Controversial Remarks by Party Leaders
Banerjee also addressed controversial remarks made by TMC leaders such as Firhad Hakim, Humayun Kabir, and Madan Mitra, clarifying that the party had advised them not to make inappropriate statements.
“This is an internal matter of our party,” she stated, reinforcing the TMC’s commitment to unity and peace.
BJP MLAs Stage Walkout from Assembly
In protest against Mamata Banerjee’s ‘fake Hinduism’ remark, BJP MLAs staged a walkout from the West Bengal assembly.
Led by BJP chief whip Shankar Ghosh, around 25 BJP legislators also staged a demonstration outside the main gate of the assembly, alleging that an outsider dressed in black—likely a special branch police officer or a TMC supporter—was present in the gallery.
