3 weeks ago
Mamata faces 'chor, chor' chants at Kolkata Netaji rally
People in a big city called Kolkata shouted mean words at an important leader named Mamata Banerjee.
They called her a 'thief,' even though she was at a special event to honour a brave freedom fighter named Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Some people came to the event and shouted these words, and the police had to form a cordon to keep things calm.
A few days earlier, in a nearby town called Halisahar, the same thing happened when people surrounded her car and threw things at it.
Mamata said the stones hurt her chest, and she could not talk for two days.
The shouting has to do with a politician from a rival party who said unkind things about Netaji, calling him a war criminal.
That politician's party, the BJP, said his words were only his own personal opinion.
Mamata's party, the TMC, says the people who shouted were sent by the BJP to be rude to her.
The BJP says the people were simply angry because they believe Mamata did some bad things.
Grown-ups are arguing about who was right, but the sad part is that a peaceful event honouring a hero turned into a big argument.
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee faced 'chor, chor' (thief) slogans at Shyambazar five-point crossing in north Kolkata during a programme honouring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The event protested remarks by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Roy (Ananta Maharaj), who called Netaji a 'war criminal' and questioned the Azad Hind Fauj's role in India's freedom struggle.
Days earlier, protesters surrounded Banerjee's convoy in Halisahar, allegedly hurling stones, mud and slippers; Banerjee said the stones caused her chest pain and that she could not speak for two days.
The TMC alleged the Shyambazar protest was deliberately orchestrated by BJP-backed people; the BJP denied involvement, calling the protests an expression of public anger against Banerjee.
West Bengal BJP leaders distanced themselves from Roy's remarks as entirely personal, while the TMC used the controversy to portray itself as the defender of Netaji's legacy.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, TMC chief and described as former West Bengal chief minister, along with BJP Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Roy (Ananta Maharaj) and senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
- What
- A TMC programme protesting remarks about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was disrupted by 'chor, chor' slogans targeting Banerjee.
- Where
- Shyambazar five-point crossing in north Kolkata; the earlier incident occurred in Halisahar in North 24 Parganas district.
- When
- Tuesday, Aug 11 (PTI dateline), days after the Sunday protest at Halisahar.
- Why
- Tension over Nagendra Roy calling Netaji a 'war criminal', sharpening the TMC-BJP political rivalry over Bengal's nationalist legacy and corruption allegations against Banerjee.
TMC's Position
BJP's Position
Who was behind the protests?
TMC's Position
The Shyambazar slogans were deliberately orchestrated by people backed by the BJP to disrupt the programme and insult Banerjee.
BJP's Position
The BJP was not involved; the protests were an expression of public anger against Banerjee.
Nagendra Roy's remarks on Netaji
TMC's Position
Roy's remarks are an assault on Bengal's nationalist legacy and Netaji's place in the state's political imagination; the TMC is defending that legacy.
BJP's Position
Roy's comments were entirely personal and are not endorsed or believed by the party.
Corruption allegations against Banerjee
TMC's Position
The episodes are politically motivated attempts to disrupt Banerjee's programmes and undermine her public standing.
BJP's Position
The protests reflect 'strong public anger'; as Suvendu Adhikari said, since Banerjee has 'committed so much theft,' she must hear people call her a thief.
Key facts
- Event
- TMC programme honouring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Shyambazar five-point crossing
- Slogans raised
- 'Chor, chor' (thief, thief) against Mamata Banerjee
- Controversy trigger
- BJP MP Nagendra Roy (Ananta Maharaj) called Netaji a 'war criminal' and questioned the Azad Hind Fauj
- Prior incident
- Protesters surrounded Banerjee's convoy in Halisahar on Sunday
- Banerjee's account
- Said she had chest pain after her vehicle was attacked with huge stones at Halisahar and could not speak for two days
- TMC claim
- Shyambazar protest was deliberately orchestrated by BJP-backed people
- BJP response
- Denied involvement; described protests as public anger against Banerjee, and Roy's remarks as personal
Quotes
Protesters at Shyambazar crossing
Participants of the protest in Kolkata
“"Since Banerjee had committed so much theft, she would have to hear people call her a thief."”
telegraphindia.com
“Those who themselves are tainted should not garland Netaji!”
theprint.in
Sources
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