PTI, KOLKATA, JUNE 13, 2025 : The West Bengal Assembly on Friday witnessed heated verbal exchanges between ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs during a discussion on the West Bengal Minorities Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025, presented by Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya.
During the debate, TMC Debra MLA Humayun Kabir praised the Mamata Banerjee-led government for its “slew of pro-minority development measures” through the Minorities Commission. Kabir, a former IPS officer, accused the BJP-led Centre of “discriminating against minorities, particularly Muslims,” citing legislations like the Waqf (Amendment) Act and alleging “vigilantism over food, dress, and religious practices” in BJP-ruled states.
His remarks, especially references to “Modi acolytes,” triggered strong protests from BJP members. Chief Whip Shankar Ghosh demanded that Kabir’s comments be expunged, claiming they were derogatory and unparliamentary.
Kabir, however, denied having made any objectionable remarks, saying, “I did not make any derogatory references to anyone.”
Responding during her wrap-up of the debate, Minister of State for Finance, Land and Land Reforms Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “Many abusive and crude comments are regularly made by BJP leaders in public.” Referring to a viral video, she added, “A senior BJP leader was seen hurling a chappal at a turbaned police officer on Thursday. BJP should not lecture others about using objectionable words.”
Speaker Biman Banerjee, when approached by reporters in his Assembly chamber, said, “I will examine the comments made by Kabir before responding to the BJP’s demand to expunge.” On the video referenced by Bhattacharya, he told PTI, “The video turned out to be true. I fact-checked its veracity.”
During the debate, BJP’s Shankar Ghosh also commented on the new vice-chairman’s post being proposed under the amended Act. “The post should be filled by a person belonging to a linguistic minority, and not by a political appointee, but rather an eminent public figure who can rise above partisan politics,” Ghosh said.
