Political Turmoil Erupts in West Bengal Assembly Over Army Incident on Mayor Road
On Monday, the Indian Army reportedly dismantled a stage erected by the TMC for a Bengali language movement on Mayor Road, triggering widespread protests from the ruling party. The TMC strongly condemned the Army’s actions, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the event. TMC Supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee immediately visited the site, claiming that the BJP had used the Army to dismantle the stage and suppress the movement. She later described the incident as a form of ‘assault on the Bengali language.’
In the aftermath, the TMC organized protest meetings in various districts across the state on Tuesday, and the issue was brought to the floor of the Assembly. Tensions escalated when Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition, raised slogans in support of the Indian Army, further aggravating the situation. The Assembly witnessed an uproar as members of the ruling party and opposition clashed over the incident, with TMC lawmakers expressing anger at the BJP’s stance.
Suvendu’s action in favor of the Indian Army led to his suspension from the Assembly. The Speaker of the House, Biman Banerjee, was forced to call for marshals to remove him from the session after he continued chanting slogans despite repeated warnings to cease. The suspension of the opposition leader resulted in a walkout by BJP legislators, who left the Assembly in protest.
Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari strongly criticized his suspension, asserting, “I have been suspended again. I was suspended for speaking in favor of the Army. I feel proud of the Indian Army.” He further claimed that his suspension was unlawful and that he was unjustly removed from the Assembly for raising his voice in support of the nation’s armed forces.
As the Assembly debate continued, tensions reached new heights with inflammatory comments from both sides. State Minister Bratya Basu described the Army’s actions on Mayor Road as reminiscent of the violence on March 25, 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War, comparing the incident to the Pakistani Army’s atrocities. This remark, in particular, sparked further outrage among opposition members, who accused the TMC of politicizing the issue for electoral gain.
In response, Minister Firhad Hakim called the BJP an “anti-Bengali” party, fueling the ongoing war of words between the two parties. BJP lawmakers, in turn, vociferously defended the actions of the Army, and Suvendu continued to raise slogans like “Indian Army Zindabad” (Long Live the Indian Army), solidifying his position as a staunch supporter of the military.
After the session, BJP leaders expressed outrage at what they described as an “undemocratic” suspension, accusing the ruling party of attempting to stifle their voices. Suvendu, in particular, remained defiant, reiterating his pride in the Army and his firm belief that the incident on Mayor Road needed to be thoroughly investigated.
The political controversy shows no signs of abating, with both sides dug in and accusations flying in all directions. With Assembly sessions in turmoil and protests breaking out across the state, the political standoff between the TMC and BJP is set to dominate West Bengal’s political landscape for the foreseeable future.
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