The West Bengal Assembly witnessed a walkout by BJP lawmakers in response to Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee’s assertion that political figures from the BJP were introducing “fake Hinduism” into the state. The TMC chief’s remarks were directed at BJP’s Leader of the Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, who had claimed that should the BJP gain control in the 2026 Bengal Assembly Elections, Muslim MLAs from the TMC would be removed from the assembly.
Sequence of Events: Mamata Banerjee vs Suvendu Adhikari
‘TMC’s Muslim MLAs will be expelled’
Adhikari criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), which has maintained power for three consecutive terms, stating that the Muslim MLAs of TMC would be forced out of the West Bengal Assembly.
He forecast that the TMC would be removed from power by the Hindu constituency, a comment that Banerjee deemed to be discriminatory.
The BJP has continually accused the TMC government of West Bengal of enabling unrestricted infiltration by Bangladeshis, insinuating that Muslims are being granted refuge in Bengal without sufficient vetting.
‘Avoid using the Hindu card’
Banerjee charged the saffron party with promoting “fake Hinduism” within the state. She further alleged that the BJP was violating the rights of citizens.
During a session in the House, CM Banerjee remarked, “Your imported Hindu dharma is not aligned with the Vedas or our sages. How can you deny the rights of Muslims as citizens? It is nothing short of a deception. You are bringing in fake Hinduism.”
Banerjee’s comments were in direct response to Adhikari’s assertion that, with a BJP victory, Muslim MLAs of the TMC would be “thrown out” of the assembly.
She also expressed her concern regarding the BJP’s treatment of minority communities.
Mamata Banerjee emphasized, “I have the right to uphold Hindu dharma, but not your interpretation of it. Please refrain from playing the Hindu card.”
In reaction to a comment made by a BJP MLA, the Bengal CM stated, “If I cannot respond to the statements of your leaders, how can you comment on the remarks made by our leaders outside the House? We have the right to defend our beliefs.”
Banerjee took this opportunity to clarify that the TMC has advised some of its members, including Firhad Hakim, Humayun Kabir, and Madan Mitra, against making remarks that could be viewed as inappropriate.
The chief minister also underlined the state’s demographic variation, noting that 23 percent of the population belongs to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, while 33 percent are Muslims.
‘Need to consult Suvendu Adhikari first’
Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar opted not to comment on the contentious statement, stating he would first confer with the Leader of the Opposition to grasp the context.
“I cannot issue a statement on this matter because I wish to speak to Suvendu Adhikari first about what he exactly said. Considering the continual suspensions and harassment faced by BJP leaders in the assembly, it is understandable why he would express such a statement,” Majumdar explained to ANI.
BJP legislators exit the Bengal assembly
Opposition BJP MLAs staged a walkout from the West Bengal assembly on Wednesday, protesting against the Chief Minister’s ‘fake Hinduism’ remark.
Guided by BJP Chief Whip Shankar Ghosh, around 25 legislators from the saffron party conducted a demonstration outside the main gate of the Bengal Assembly, alleging that an individual donned in black, possibly linked to the special branch of police or a TMC agent, was spotted in the gallery.
