Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Trinamool Congress protests attack on Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal
A very important political leader named Mamata Banerjee went to visit the family of a man named Birju Keot, who died while he was in police custody.
On the way, an angry crowd threw shoes, mud, bricks, and stones at her car.
Ms. Banerjee said people from the rival BJP party were responsible.
But the Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, said no BJP members were involved.
He even joked that she should wear a headset so she wouldn't hear people shouting "thief" at her.
Birju Keot's family says he was beaten to death in the lock-up.
Ms. Banerjee's political party, the Trinamool Congress, is now planning protest marches across all of West Bengal on Monday.
They are asking workers in every town to join the processions after 2 p.m.
The two political sides clearly disagree about what happened, and both are asking the public to support their view.
Trinamool Congress will hold protest rallies in all blocks of West Bengal after 2 p.m. on Monday over the alleged attack on Mamata Banerjee.
Banerjee faced public outrage in Bijpur, North 24 Parganas, while visiting the family of Birju Keot, a TMC worker who died in police custody.
Shoes, mud, bricks, and stones were allegedly hurled at her vehicle; Banerjee claimed BJP-backed miscreants were responsible.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said no BJP members were involved and advised Banerjee to wear a headset so she wouldn't hear chants of "thief".
Keot, husband of resigned TMC councillor Jenny Sharma Keot, had been arrested over allegations including extortion; his family alleged he was beaten to death.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, three-time former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo; Birju Keot, a TMC worker who died in police custody; Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
- What
- Trinamool Congress announced statewide protest rallies after Banerjee's vehicle was attacked with shoes, mud, bricks, and stones during a visit to Keot's family in Bijpur.
- When
- The attack occurred on Sunday; protests are scheduled for Monday. Birju Keot died in police custody on Saturday, August 8.
- Where
- Bijpur in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal; protest rallies are planned across all blocks of the state.
- Why
- To protest the alleged attack on Mamata Banerjee and to draw attention to the death of party worker Birju Keot in police custody.
Trinamool Congress
BJP-led State Government
Responsibility for the attack
Trinamool Congress
Mamata Banerjee claimed BJP-backed miscreants hurled shoes, mud, bricks and stones at her vehicle, saying she could have suffered a head injury or lost her life.
BJP-led State Government
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said no BJP members were involved in the protests.
Response to the incident
Trinamool Congress
Trinamool Congress is intensifying its movement with statewide rallies to protest the attack and draw attention to party worker Birju Keot's death in custody.
BJP-led State Government
Chief Minister Adhikari downplayed the incident, advising Banerjee to wear a headset when stepping out in public so she wouldn't hear chants of "thief".
- Incident location
- Bijpur, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal
- Lock-up death victim
- Birju Keot, TMC worker; husband of resigned TMC councillor Jenny Sharma Keot
- Arrest basis
- Extortion and other allegations
- Date of death
- Saturday, August 8, in police lock-up
- Family's allegation
- Birju Keot was beaten to death
- Banerjee's claim
- BJP-backed miscreants hurled shoes, mud, bricks and stones at her car
- Adhikari's claim
- No BJP members involved; advised Banerjee to wear a headset in public
- Protest plan
- Rallies in every block after 2 p.m. on Monday; non-rebel MLAs to protest in state Assembly