While speaking during a programme in West Bengal’s Sreerampur, Kalyan Banerjee claimed he would do it a thousand times as he targeted Jagdeep Dhankhar. (Video screengrab)
Speaking at a programme in his Lok Sabha constituency Serampore in Hooghly district on Sunday, Banerjee insisted that he would repeat the act a thousand times since it is his fundamental right. “Mimicky is an art form. It is my fundamental right to express my views. The right to dissent and protest is also a fundamental right. You can put me in jail for this but I will not step back,” said Banerjee, a senior lawyer, who was suspended from the Lok Sabha along with several others from two Houses of Parliament.
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Without naming Dhankhar, he said, “Children are used to complaining like this. But he should know that he ignited the fire. Now if that fire burns down Lanka, that is not our fault .”
He further said, “I did the mimicry but later I came to know that it became a big deal. But the first act of mimicry I saw in the Lok Sabha was by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When he did it, we laughed it off. We took the matter sportingly. They are crying hoarse over mimicry.”
Banerjee mimicked Rajya Sabha chairman Dhankhar during the Opposition’s protest on the stairs of Parliament on December 19 against the suspension of MPs, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP. Accusing Dhankhar of “throttling the Opposition to please the ruling dispensation at the Centre”, the TMC MP said, “How much will you bend? How much do you want to please Narendra Modi and the BJP?”
Dhankhar termed the act as “shameful, ridiculous and unacceptable”.
Accusing Dhankhar of being engrossed with himself while adorning a Constitutional position, Banerjee, rapidly shaking his hands and body, said that he should look at the country instead. He later clarified that he didn’t intend to hurt Dhankhar.
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On Monday, Banerjee went to a church in his constituency on the occasion of Christmas and distributed sweets among children.
Reacting to Banerjee’s remarks, state BJP chief Sukanta Majumder said, “Mimicry is an art but you have to understand where you are doing this… the Parliament staircase is not a place for mimicry. Also, the Vice-President cannot be the subject of your mimicry. If you do that repeatedly, questions will be raised on your mental stability.”— With PTI inputs
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
