Howrah violence: TMC hints at ‘conspiracy’, says BJP trying to ‘provoke communal tension’

“I ask everyone to take note of the chronology – First they meet the Home Minister, then they come back to Bengal, hold a public meeting in Shyambazar, and then they ask to keep an eye on the television. The very next day, the riots break out. Who is responsible for this? These people do not even learn from their mistakes. They tried to do the same communal politics during the 2021 elections and lost the polls. I urge the people to  take note of this and ensure that those trying to destroy the peace and culture in Bengal are not spared politically. We are the people of Bengal. Why should we get into this Hindu-Muslim divide?” Banerjee said.

Leader of Opposition of West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari had met Amit Shah in Delhi recently to discuss matters related to the state.

Banerjee also asserted that those responsible for the violence will not be spared. “Criminals have no religion and whoever tries to destroy law and order in Bengal will face action regardless of their religion or political affiliation. They (BJP) are the ones who take a criminal’s religion into account before taking action. We don’t.”

“They have moved the court for an NIA and CBI probe because they are afraid as this incident happened after their instigation. If the case goes to NIA and CBI, the real culprits won’t get caught. To ensure that the probe is not conducted smoothly and the culprits are not exposed, they have moved the court to demand a NIA investigation,” he added. Banerjee’s comments come hours after Adhikari announced that he had filed a PIL before a Calcutta High Court bench  seeking a NIA probe into the alleged incidents of violence that broke out in Howrah and North Dinajpur districts on Thursday.

Showing purported images and videos from Thursday’s alleged violence where a group of people are purportedly seen setting shops on fire and brandishing guns,

Banerjee said,  “Footage from the spot has emerged showing that those, who attended the procession, were carrying guns, pistols, and swords. Hawkers lost their wares as their carts were set on fire. What kind of Shobha Yatra was this? What kind of tradition is this to play DJ music and pay respects to our Lord Ram? Mamata Banerjee became the chief minister in 2011. This kind of hooliganism was never seen in Bengal till 2015,” he said.

“But after winning two seats in 2014 and three MLAs later, they started thinking that this state is their personal property. They are constantly trying to provoke communal tensions and get Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, and Jains to fight among themselves and so they can do politics over this. Those who try to disrupt the communal peace in the state instead of doing the political fight, we have no words to condemn them,” Banerjee added.