BJP leaders raise communal pitch, say 'save Hindus' in Mamata's Bengal

Parading victims

The communal pitch at the BJP rally was so high that the audience kept on raising slogans about protecting Hindus in the state and saving democracy at all costs. In fact, the party claimed that communal violence had taken place in Malda, Nadia and Howrah, and that people were still afraid to live there.

To strike home its point, the BJP brought along victims of the Dhulagarh violence, and the people of Tehatta in Nadia, who asked the assembled crowd to "unite, otherwise our religion is at stake".

Moitri Mondal, a victim of the Dhulagarh violence, said: "Our homes were looted, property vandalised and modesty of women outraged. Yet, the police remained mute spectators. The state government only gave us Rs 30,000 as compensation, but they could not provide proper security."

Archana Maji, a resident of Tehatta in Nadia, added: "At the Bhuinpara school in Tehatta, Saraswati Puja was being held for the last 65 years. This time, it was not allowed because of objection from the Muslims. They said that they will organize Nabi Divas - celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. The state administration did not take any initiative to organise the puja, and the police remained mute spectators."

The Kashmiri parallel

Vijayvargiya, known for his outlandish statements, soon drew a parallel between what was happening in Bengal to the Kashmiri Pandit exodus at the end of the 1980s.

According to him, Hindus were subjected to torture and oppression, which resulted in their exodus from the Valley. "This is what Bengal is currently witnessing. If we allow the situation in the border districts of Bengal to continue, soon we will see Hindus flee from there. Now, it's time to protect Bengali culture and tradition and the Hindu religion. It was Syama Prasad Mookerjee who saved Bengal from going to the clutches of Pakistan, and Mamata is now undoing the work done by the patriot Mookerjee," Vijayvargiya said.

"Mamata is wearing a Hijab to win the hearts of Muslims, in order to get their votes. I have never seen any leader wearing a Hijab in any part of the country to garner votes of that community."

Vijayvargiya asked the people to decide whether they would convert, or remain in Bengal as Hindus.

Neither Ghosh nor Sinha held back in their criticism of the TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister for genuflecting before the Muslim community.

While Ghosh said that there was a conspiracy to make West Bengal a part of Bangladesh, Sinha said Mamata was trying to Islamise the education system.

Sinha said: "Where are we living? In Bengal or in an Islamic country? We have to go to the court to get permission for extending the dates for the immersion of Durga idols. At a school in Tehatta, Saraswati Puja was not allowed, and children who were demanding the puja be organised were lathicharged by the police."

TMC response

Partha Chatterjee, state parliamentary affairs minister, responded to the BJP leaders' statements.

"The BJP is desperately trying to strengthen its base in Bengal, and it is trying to create a division in society by stroking communal passions. We won't allow them to do this," he said.

Chit fund scams

On the issue of corruption, the leaders launched a scathing attack on the TMC. Sinha refuted allegations by the CPI(M)and Congress that 'Modi and Didi' had entered into an understanding to slow the probe down.

"Let the UP elections get over, and you will see the true colours of Modi," Sinha added.

"If we want, we can tie each and every TMC MP who is demonstrating in New Delhi to a lamp post. But we will not do that."

Ghosh mockingly said that only two MPs - Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Pal - are in Cuttack jail right now. But soon, soon the entire TMC cabinet would be in Cuttack jail.

Edited by Shreyas Sharma