Reeling from Kolkata rape-murder firestorm, Mamata fumbles in tightrope bid between Opposition, protesters

Smarting from the repercussions of the August 9 outrage, Mamata has scrambled to tackle it. As the protests took a political turn and the state saw sporadic violence and clashes over the last few days – during the “Nabanna Abhijaan” (march to the state secretariat “Nabanna” called by a little-known students group Chhatra Samaj) and 12-hour Bengal bandh called by the BJP – Mamata has hardened her stance. Yet, it seems to be a slippery road for the firebrand TMC supremo, who has successfully taken on the BJP in Bengal in the Lok Sabha, Assembly and local body polls while relegating the Left and the Congress to the margins.

After several days of silence, Mamata took the stage on Wednesday on the foundation day of her party’s student wing, TMC Chhatra Parishad, to hit back at her detractors, talking tough against them. On the occasion, she shared the dais with the TMC’s second-in-command and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is said to have reservations on the manner the state administration has handled the rape-murder case.

The CM went on the offensive against her political opponents, particularly the BJP, even as she fought shy of attacking the protesting doctors, students or common citizens.

Her remarks that attempts to spread the Bangladesh fire in her state will not spare Assam, Bihar, Manipur or Odisha drew severe criticism from the CMs of the BJP-ruled states. She remained unfazed, though. What seemed to have worried her was the reaction of agitating junior doctors, who called her speech a “passive warning”.

On Thursday morning, Mamata had to issue a clarification to underline that she supports the movement of doctors and students for justice and security. She posted a detailed statement on X to debunk allegations that she had sought to “threaten” the junior doctors.

“Not uttered a single word against students or their movement, I have spoken against BJP because they are trying to create anarchy,” Mamata stated. “I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in some print, electronic and digital media which has been unleashed with reference to a speech that I made in our students’ programme yesterday (Wednesday),” she said.

“Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false,” the CM said.

“I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them.” Mamata said.

“I also clarify that the phrase (“phonsh kara”) that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one’s voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying,” the TMC chief added.

Addressing the TMC Chhatra Parishad event, Mamata had urged the striking doctors to return to their work. “We did not take action when junior doctors were on strike across the country. That’s because I think their movement is justified. They want justice for their friend. But in Delhi they filed an FIR against the doctors. But the Supreme Court said that those who have not yet joined the work should not say anything, then left it to the state.”

Then she added, “The Supreme Court on that day empowered the state to take action. I don’t want to do it. Because they should study well. I file an FIR against someone, his or her life will be ruined, will not get passport, visa. We don’t want to do that. We are the only government, which has created ‘Rattirer Sathi’ (scheme for safety of women who work on night shifts).”

Mamata also said, “Ami kakhono badla chaini… Aj bolchhi… jeta kora dorkar, seta apnara bhalo bujhe korben. Ami oshanti chai na… kintu je kutsa opoprochar kore apnake roj kamrachchhe, apni take kamraben na… Kintu phosh to korte paren. (I never wanted revenge. But now I say, you will understand well what needs to be done. I don’t want trouble. Today, you will understand what needs to be done. But the ugly, slanderous one that bites you every day, you don’t bite him but you can hiss at him.)”

Following her statement, a protesting doctor said, “We are not afraid of what Chief Minister said. Our movement will continue until we get justice. We are not doing politics and also will not allow any political flag.”

Mamata’s clarification triggered more fireworks from the Opposition, which has kept their guns trained on her government for allegedly failing to ensure women safety and for cracking down on democratic protests.

BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said, in a statement on X: “Don’t mince your (Mamata’s) words. There’s no malicious disinformation campaign against you. The media is calling spade a spade. You have threatened the agitating medical students & junior doctors and warned them about taking action against them if they continue their agitation. You even tried to scare them of the dire consequences including their career getting hampered if you lodge FIR against them.”

Adhikari also alleged, “Moreover you (Mamata) have issued threat to create anarchy in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, entire North Eastern India, UP and even creating unrest in Delhi for toppling an elected government.”

Reacting sharply to Mamata’s remarks, senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said, “TMC’s hiss and bite, both will not work. We will break their poisonous teeth.”

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “She (Mamata) is caught now, and out of fear she is trying to threaten junior doctors and protesters, but they are not afraid.”