The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ramped up its criticism of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, alleging "targeted action" against Hindus in the state. The BJP's accusations encompass a range of issues, from disruptions of Hindu festivals to alleged inaction by law enforcement in cases of violence against Hindus. These accusations have intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal, particularly ahead of upcoming by-elections.
One of the central অভিযোগ raised by the BJP revolves around the safety and security of Hindu religious events in West Bengal. BJP Member of Parliament Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has claimed that Hindu festivals are increasingly under threat in the state, attributing the disruptions to the ruling TMC. In a letter to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, Mahato highlighted incidents of "disruptions, stone-pelting, and physical violence" during celebrations such as Durga Puja and Kali Puja. He argued that these festivals, which are integral to Bengali Hindu identity, have faced targeted attacks, creating an atmosphere of fear among devotees. As an example, Mahato cited an incident in Kolkata's Rajabazar area, where participants in a Kali Puja immersion procession were allegedly assaulted. He further claimed that authorities dismissed the event as a "parking dispute," which, according to Mahato, reflects neglect and bias by law enforcement agencies.
Echoing these concerns, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of encouraging targeted violence against Hindus under the guise of protests against amendments to Waqf legislation. Bhandari alleged that Banerjee has turned West Bengal into a "laboratory of appeasement," claiming that violence is happening in the state because she supports it. He also implicated Banerjee's close aide, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, for his purported role in the events. Bhandari cited specific instances of alleged inaction, stating that police remain silent when "radical mobs attack Hindus in places like Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and Jangipur in a targeted manner".
The BJP's criticism extends to the online sphere, with allegations of a surge in anti-Hindu sentiments on social media platforms. Mahato pointed to instances where users purportedly advocated for replicating violence similar to that experienced by Hindus in Bangladesh. He urged Governor Bose to monitor administrative responses to anti-Hindu social media posts and investigate potential links to extremist groups.
The TMC has refuted these accusations, instead questioning the Indian government's priorities regarding the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, suggesting political motivations behind alleged inaction. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her condemnation of attacks against Hindus but has cautioned against stoking communal tensions within the state. She has accused the BJP of politicizing the issue and called on the Union government to take action to protect the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
The BJP, meanwhile, has been actively working to consolidate Hindu support in West Bengal. The party has organized protests across the state, calling for a stronger response from the Indian government to safeguard Hindus in Bangladesh. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also intensified its activities, holding demonstrations in districts with large Hindu refugee populations. Some BJP leaders have linked the situation to their push for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which promises citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
The accusations and counter-accusations surrounding the alleged "targeted action" against Hindus in West Bengal have created a charged political climate. With upcoming by-elections on the horizon, the issue is likely to remain a focal point of political debate in the state.
