West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again found herself at the center of a political storm after her Eid speech on Kolkata’s Red Road. She accused the opposition—both BJP and Left parties—of attempting to incite communal violence in the state. Her remarks, particularly her reference to BJP’s ‘dirty religion’ (Ganda Dharam), have sparked sharp reactions from the saffron party, with leaders accusing her of being anti-Hindu.
Mamata’s Eid Speech: A Strong Message Against Division
During her speech on Eid-ul-Fitr, Mamata Banerjee called for communal harmony and urged people not to fall into the traps of political provocations. She said:
“Ram and Baam (BJP and the Left) have united. Red and saffron have come together and are trying to create riots. They will try to divide us, but don’t react. Don’t fall into their trap.”
She further accused the BJP of distorting the true principles of Hinduism, stating:
“I follow the religion of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda. I do not follow the ‘dirty religion’ that is against the real principles of Hinduism.”
Banerjee reassured the people that the West Bengal government would stand by them and prevent any attempts to spread communal discord.
BJP’s Reaction: Accusations of Hinduphobia
Mamata Banerjee’s comments were met with outrage from BJP leaders, who accused her of attacking Hindu beliefs. Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, responded:
“What religion are you calling dirty? Is it Sanatan Dharma? Why did you choose Eid to make such a divisive speech? Are you not intentionally creating hatred between communities?”
Similarly, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticized Banerjee, alleging that she has always been anti-Hindu. He remarked:
“For Mamata Banerjee, is Sanatan Dharma a dirty religion? Despite several anti-Hindu riots under her rule, she mocks Hindu faith. Once again, she has given a free hand to Muslims to target Hindus, this time from an Eid stage. Shameful!”
TMC’s Defense: Targeting BJP’s Communal Politics
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) quickly responded to the controversy, clarifying that Banerjee never insulted Hinduism but was only criticizing BJP’s use of religion for political gains. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh stated:
“Mamata Banerjee has never spoken against Hinduism. She was referring to the distortion of religion by the BJP to further their political agenda.”
He emphasized that Mamata Banerjee has always stood for religious harmony and that her remarks were directed at the BJP’s communal tactics, not Hinduism itself.
Mamata Banerjee’s Stand on Religious Harmony
Banerjee has consistently positioned herself as a leader of inclusivity, supporting all religious communities. She reaffirmed this in her Eid speech:
“All Hindus are not against Muslims. Only some political leaders exploit religion for their gains. But don’t worry, I will not let them harm you.”
She also criticized the Left parties for allegedly aligning with the BJP, stating that their secular credentials are now compromised.
The Bigger Political Picture in Bengal
This latest controversy comes at a crucial time, with the 2025 West Bengal Assembly elections looming. The political atmosphere in the state remains highly charged, with BJP and TMC locked in a battle over communal narratives. Mamata Banerjee’s speech appears to be a strategic move to consolidate minority votes, while BJP is using her remarks to mobilize Hindu voters against her.
