Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after she made a controversial comparison between the protests in Kolkata and the Bangladesh crisis. Banerjee’s remark, “if Bengal burns, then Assam and Delhi too shall burn,” triggered a sharp response from Sarma, who accused her of inciting unrest through “politics of failure.”
Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us your bloodshot eyes. Don’t try to set India on fire with your divisive politics. It doesn’t suit you to use such language.”
दीदी, आपकी हिम्मत कैसे हुई असम को धमकाने की? हमें लाल आंखें मत दिखाइए। आपकी असफलता की राजनीति से भारत को जलाने की कोशिश भी मत कीजिए। आपको विभाजनकारी भाषा बोलना शोभा नहीं देता।
দিদি, আপনার এতো সাহস কীভাবে হলো যে আপনি অসমকে ধমকি দিচ্ছেন? আমাদের রক্তচক্ষু দেখাবেন না। আপনার অসফলতার… pic.twitter.com/k194lajS8s
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 28, 2024
Assam and BJP Leaders Respond
Piyush Hazarika, a BJP leader from Assam, also condemned Banerjee’s comments, stating that she could neither “bully” nor “threaten” Assam. He further criticized her inability to maintain law and order in West Bengal.
Meanwhile, Union Minister and Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar described Banerjee’s remarks as indicative of an “anti-national” mindset, unbefitting a leader in a constitutional position.
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Banerjee’s ‘Bengal Burns’ Speech
Banerjee’s comments were made during an event marking the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress’s student wing. During the event, she attacked the BJP for its role in the violence that occurred during a bandh (strike) and the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest march to the state secretariat.
Referring to the widespread unrest and protests in Bangladesh over a controversial quota system that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Banerjee drew a parallel with the current agitation in Bengal. She warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that unrest in Bengal could have repercussions across India, including Assam, the Northeast, and major northern states.
Violence During BJP Bandh
The BJP’s 12-hour bandh in West Bengal resulted in violent clashes between party workers, TMC supporters, and the police in several areas. BJP leader Priyangu Pandey alleged that bombs were thrown, and shots were fired at his car by TMC supporters in Bhatpara, further escalating the tensions between the two parties.
