The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, terming her remarks made at an Eid prayers event in Kolkata as “provocative”.
In her speech, Banerjee had criticised the BJP for attempting to incite communal riots in the state and asserted that the saffron party's "ganda dharma" was contrary to the true principles of Hinduism.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said the chief minister was deliberately sowing hate and creating animosity between communities.
"Which religion are you calling 'ganda' (dirty)? Was it Sanatan Hindu Dharma? Why did you deliver such a provocative speech at an Eid celebration? Was it a religious event or a political one?,” Adhikari, who is the Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, asked.
"Hum 'Ganda Dharm' ko nahi manta hai". - Mamata Banerjee
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) March 31, 2025
Kaun sa Dharm ganda hai Ms. Mamata Banerjee?
Appeasing the Muslim Community at the Red Road with your almost incomprehensible gibberish Urdu dialect, you made a statement that you don't follow the 'Ganda Dharm' or 'Dirty… pic.twitter.com/JpLWYV5JYG
BJP leader Amit Malviya, too, took potshots at Banerjee, accusing her of mocking Hindus and deriding their faith.
"Is Sanatan Dharma a 'Ganda Dharma' for Mamata Banerjee? Despite numerous anti-Hindu riots under her rule, she mocks Hindus and derides their faith. She has once again given Muslims a free pass to target Hindus -- this time from a platform meant to celebrate Eid. Shame on her,” he said.
In her speech, the chief minister targeted the BJP as she urged people to avoid falling into provocations that could fuel riots.
"I follow the religion followed by Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda. I don't follow the 'ganda dharam' made by them (BJP), they are even against the Hindu dharma,” Banerjee said.
#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at Eidgah in Kolkata on the occasion of #EidAlFitr
— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2025
She says "We are secular. Navratri is going on; I extend my best wishes for that as well, but we do not want riots to take place. Common people do not involve in such things only… pic.twitter.com/wfmCsuYgEY
She asserted that her government would stand with the people and ensure no one could stir up tensions in the state.
"Provocations are being made to fuel riots, but please don't fall into these traps. The West Bengal government stands with the minorities. No one can provoke tensions in the state," she said.
The ruling Trinamool Congress defended the chief minister, claiming she had not said anything against the Hindu religion but was speaking against the communal politics of the BJP.
“By the word 'Ganda Dharam' she meant distortions that the BJP has brought in to push its own political agenda through religion. We all know that the BJP has been trying to politicise Hindu religion and is trying to fan communal politics," TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said.
