West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused critics of launching a malicious disinformation campaign regarding her recent speech. She asserted that she did not make any derogatory remarks about medical students or their protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
In a detailed post on X, Banerjee vehemently denied allegations that she had criticized or threatened the medical students. “I detect a malicious disinformation campaign in various media outlets concerning my speech at a student event yesterday,” she stated. “I want to clarify unequivocally that I have not said a single word against the medical students or their legitimate movement. I fully support their cause and never threatened them, as some are falsely claiming.”
Banerjee explained that her speech was directed at the BJP, which she accused of undermining democracy in West Bengal. “My remarks were aimed at the BJP because, with backing from the Government of India, they are threatening democracy and creating chaos in our state,” she said. She urged the protesting doctors to resume their duties, emphasizing her patience throughout the situation.
She also addressed the controversy over her use of the phrase “phonsh kara” in her speech, explaining that it was a reference to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. “The phrase I used is from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, who advocated raising one’s voice against crimes and injustices. My intention was to highlight the need to protest against wrongdoing,” she explained.
Banerjee’s comments came in response to a 12-hour ‘Bengal Bandh’ called by the BJP, during which she criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly stoking unrest in Bengal. “Some believe this is Bangladesh. I respect Bangladesh and its culture, but India is a separate country. Modi is using his party to incite violence here. If Bengal burns, so will Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi. We will topple your chair,” she warned.
In reaction to her statements, the BJP has compared Banerjee to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
