Mamata Banerjee accuses RSS-BJP of fueling communal tensions in West Bengal

Vartha Bharati | 20-04-2025 | 12:32:00 IST

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (PTI)

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a strongly worded open letter on Saturday, accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of instigating communal violence in the state.

"RSS and BJP are the ones who are instigating communal violence in West Bengal. People of the state should be extremely careful not to get trapped in their provocations," Banerjee wrote, urging the public to maintain unity and not fall prey to what she termed as divisive tactics.

She alleged that the BJP and its affiliates, including the RSS, had become "very aggressive" in the state and were using a recent incident to stoke communal unrest for electoral gains.

“They want to incite riots, which can affect everyone,” she said, adding, “We love all. We want to stay together. We condemn riots. We are against riots. They want to divide us for narrow electoral politics.”

The Chief Minister called for calm and cooperation between communities, stressing the importance of maintaining communal harmony. She said the state government is taking strict action to maintain law and order.

“To save human lives and dignity, and to uphold law and order, we have taken strong steps. Two police officers-in-charge have been removed. Investigations are ongoing and further action will follow,” Banerjee stated.

She reiterated her appeal to the public to avoid falling into traps of provocation and said that those responsible for violence would be dealt with firmly.

“The majority and minority communities must work together and take care of each other. We must avoid mutual mistrust and distrust,” she added.

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