Assam NRC: Case Against Mamata Banerjee For ‘Civil War’ Comment

The West Bengal CM had previously vociferously condemned the Assam NRC draft.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

(Photo: Reuters)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the Assam NRC and also told him that there would be a “civil war” if NRC is implemented in West Bengal.

Following her meeting, she told ANI:

I asked him to amend NRC Bill or bring new a Bill. He has assured me they will not harass people. I also spoke to him about reports of NRC being implemented in Bengal. I told him that if such a thing happens, there could be a civil war.

Hours after this comment, an FIR accusing the West Bengal chief minister of inciting 'hate and tension' among different communities was filed, reported NDTV.

The case was reportedly filed by three workers of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

Cong, BJP Condemn Mamata’s Remark

Condemning Banerjee’s ‘civil war’ remark, Union Minister Kiren Rijuju said her duty is not to “incite violence”.

It is the duty of the chief minister to maintain law and order in the state, and not to incite violence. Her remark on civil war is condemnable.

Kiren Rijuju, Union Minister

West Bengal BJP leader Rupa Ganguly said that what was happening in the state was not “less than bloodbath or civil war”.

Is she aware that there are a lot of illegal immigrants in West Bengal? As it is what is happening in West Bengal today, is it any less than bloodbath or civil war? Doesn’t she know that every other day BJP karyakartas are being killed.

Rupa Ganguly, BJP leader

Assam Congress president Ripun Bora said that as the chief minister, Banerjee should not provoke for a civil war.

Mamata Banerjee being a chief minister should not provoke for a civil war. We condemn Mamata Banerjee’s civil war remark. It will have no impact on Assam as it is absolutely peaceful here.

Ripun Bora, Assam Cong President

Mamata Calls Draft ‘Vote-Politics’

Banerjee had previously vociferously condemned the Assam NRC draft which had left out over 40 lakh people, saying that the Narendra Modi-led government was doing “vote politics.”

According to IANS, Mamata Banerjee had said to mediapersons on Monday:

They (left out people) were made refugees by the Assam and central government. Many people submitted all the documents. Yet, they were not considered, just excluded. Some of them have been staying for more than 50 years.

After his meeting with Mamata Banerjee, Rajnath Singh said:

Nobody will be harassed in this entire process and at every stage of the process, adequate opportunity of being heard will be given to all persons. The draft NRC has been prepared in accordance with the law under the monitoring of the SC.