Mamata Banerjee’s remark on Hindu safety sparks political row in West Bengal

Kolkata: A statement made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has triggered a major political controversy after she claimed that Hindus in the state remain safe only because the Trinamool Congress government is in power. The remark, made during a protest in Kolkata, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, which accused the ruling party of attempting to create communal divisions ahead of elections.

The comments were made on March 9, 2026, during a protest organized by the ruling All India Trinamool Congress against the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Addressing party supporters at the demonstration in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee reportedly said that Hindus in Bengal were safe because her government was in power.

“We exist, that is why you are safe. If we were not here, a particular community would gather together, surround you and finish you in a second,” she said during her speech. A video of the statement has since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread reactions and criticism.

The remarks quickly drew strong objections from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who accused the Chief Minister of making provocative and divisive statements targeting Bengali Hindus. BJP leaders alleged that the statement was an attempt to polarise voters ahead of the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticised the Chief Minister, claiming that the statement amounted to an “open warning” to Bengali Hindus. According to him, such remarks reflect the ruling party’s growing desperation as it faces declining support among voters.

Bhandari also shared the video of the speech on social media platform X and accused the Trinamool Congress of encouraging what he described as “open hostility” towards Bengali Hindus. He alleged that the ruling party was trying to use communal rhetoric as part of a broader political strategy to consolidate its vote base.

Meanwhile, the protest where the remarks were made was part of a larger demonstration against the Election Commission’s voter list revision exercise. Mamata Banerjee and her party have been opposing the special intensive revision process, claiming that it could lead to the removal of genuine voters from the electoral rolls.

During the protest at Metro Channel in central Kolkata, the Chief Minister was also seen symbolically drawing the words “SIR” and “Vanish” on a green board to express opposition to the voter list revision exercise. The demonstration entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with several party leaders and supporters participating in the agitation.

The controversy surrounding the statement has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with opposition leaders demanding action from the Election Commission. As the debate grows louder, the issue is expected to further heat up the political atmosphere in the state ahead of the crucial assembly elections.