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After FIR against Shah remark, BJP targets Mahua for ‘anti-Matua’ comment, she hits back: ‘Using Sanatan Dharma for its benefit’

In a video, the TMC MP is purportedly heard saying: ‘Wearing wooden malas, all come to collect government doles, but during the election, they vote for the BJP’

After a video of Mahua Moitra’s speech went viral last month, the BJP had lodged police complaints against her across the state, especially in Matua-dominated areas. (File Photo)

As an FIR was registered against Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in Chhattisgarh over her alleged remarks on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the West Bengal unit of the BJP on Sunday accused the Krishnanagar MP of “insulting” the Scheduled Caste Matua community and “hurting the religious sentiments of Sanatanis”.

The TMC MP hit back, saying Sanatan Dharma has been “leased out” to the BJP so that the party could “peddle” it for its benefit.

“BJP leaders are the only Hindus certified to speak on behalf of all Hindus. Sanatan Dharma has been leased out to them for an indefinite period, and they, in turn, can peddle it for their benefit. The rest of us are all lowly insects watching in awe at this amazing new version of BJP Hinduism,” Moitra told The Indian Express.

Reacting to a video of TMC MP’s August 28 speech in Karimpur, BJP spokesperson Shatorupa said: “She has crossed all limits. After insulting the Union Home Minister, she has insulted the Sanatanis and Namasudras… Her remarks prove that (TMC supremo) Mamata Banerjee indulges in appeasement politics, which we have been saying time and again.”

The Matuas are Namasudras, a Scheduled Caste group which migrated from present-day Bangladesh.

In the video, Moitra is purportedly heard saying: “Throughout the year, you are Trinamool and during the elections, you are Sanatanis? What is this? A Scheduled Caste woman gets Rs 1,200 through the Laxmi Bhandar scheme …and in the SC/ST Namasudra booths, when the ballot boxes are opened, it is 85 votes for the BJP and 15 for other parties. Wearing wooden malas, all come to collect government doles, all have Swasthya Sathi cards and take Laxmi Bhandar benefits, but during the election, it’s the BJP.”

BJP’s state legal co-incharge Tarunjyoti Tiwari said: “How can Moitra say that the doles given are by the TMC. It is actually the taxpayers’ money which is given to the common man… How can she say that one has to vote for the TMC because they take benefits of the state government schemes?”

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Accusing the TMC MP of hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus by calling the ‘Tulsi Mala’ as “wooden malas”, Tiwari said: “This makes it clear that TMC is against the Hindus.”

On Saturday, an FIR was registered against Moitra in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur for allegedly making “objectionable” remarks against Amit Shah.

The case was filed on a complaint by Raipur resident Gopal Samanto. Moitra has been booked under BNS sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.) and 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), Raipur Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh said.
The remarks were allegedly made by the TMC MP in Bengali during an interaction with the media on Thursday. She allegedly accused Shah of shirking his responsibilities on border security.

Samanto, the complainant, told reporters that many Bangladeshi refugees have been living in Raipur’s Mana Camp area since 1971, and Moitra’s comments have created fear among them. He alleged that such statements could incite tensions between communities and disturb peace.

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In West Bengal, BJP leaders have filed police complaints against Moitra in Krishnanagar and Kolkata.

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

Tanusree Bose

Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage. Experience Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness. Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances. Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including: State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies. Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues. Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More

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