CM Banerjee Criticizes BJP, Alleges Army Was Used Improperly After Stage for Language Protest Removed by Soldiers.

On Monday, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of misusing the Indian Army, after soldiers dismantled a stage set up by the Trinamool Congress to protest alleged atrocities against Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, on Monday accused the BJP-led Centre of inappropriately deploying the Indian Army after soldiers removed a TMC stage meant for protesting violence against Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-governed states.

The Indian Army on Monday initiated the dismantling of a stage built by the Trinamool Congress near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Maidan area of central Kolkata, an area under military control.

When the news broke, Mamata Banerjee quickly arrived at the scene and opposed the Army’s actions.

When the Chief Minister arrived, the Indian Army jawans halted the dismantling of the stage and left the site.

After reaching the dismantled site, Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and the Indian Army, accusing them of not informing local law enforcement about their actions.

“I hold no grudge against the Army, but this is clearly the result of the BJP’s vindictive politics. Their double-engine government is misusing the Army, which is completely unethical and undemocratic. This is a clear misuse of power. The Army should have spoken to the Kolkata Police first. If they had informed me, I would have personally ensured the stage was removed right away,” she said.

The Trinamool Congress chief urged people across West Bengal to stage mass protests on Tuesday in response to the Army’s action.

“I don’t hold the Army responsible, but I urge them to stay neutral and not become tools of the BJP. The BJP wants to exploit the Army for their own agenda. That’s the key message here. They seem indifferent to both internal and border security. This shouldn’t happen. We had official permission for the event and had paid the required fees,” said CM Banerjee.

Posting on its official X handle, the Trinamool Congress said, “Our respect for the Indian Army remains unwavering. What took place at Mayo Road was not their action. The BJP used its power to unlawfully dismantle our ‘Bhasha Andolan’ protest site, despite prior clearance and payment of security deposits.”

On Monday, Army officials took down the Trinamool Congress’s ‘Bhasha Andolan’ stage from Mayo Road in Kolkata. They stated that the permission for the protest had expired. The Trinamool had built the structure in an area managed by the Army after getting prior approval.

“Events lasting more than three days need permission from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. In this case, permission was granted for just two days. However, the stage stayed up for almost a month. Despite several reminders to the organisers to remove the temporary structure, they did not do it,” said Himanshu Tiwari, Chief Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Defense.

“The program got approval for only three days at the beginning of August. A month has passed, and now the Army is taking down the stage,” he said.

Trinamool leader Chandrima Bhattacharya criticized the Army’s action, saying, “We strongly condemn this. We had planned to hold protests every weekend. Suddenly, they dismantled the pandals. If there was any issue, they should have spoken to our party leaders or the administration.”

“This attempt will not silence us. Bengal has a long tradition of protest. Bengali is an officially recognised language. Our leader is already present. We won’t engage in confrontation, as we respect the federal framework. Our demonstration will go on near the Gandhi statue.”

The BJP criticized the Trinamool Congress for the issue.

“This latest incident shows Mamata Banerjee’s unmatched record in dishonesty, arbitrary behavior, and hypocrisy,” said Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on X. “The failed Chief Minister, skilled in deceit, has now shamefully targeted the @adgpi Indian Army. This act not only brings shame to her but also disrespects the constitutional office she holds.”

He alleged, “To preserve her appeasement politics and corrupt interests, she hasn’t hesitated to strike out at the nation’s armed forces. Her brazen insult to the Army while serving as Chief Minister reveals that she values power and pride more than the principles of law, the Constitution, or national dignity.”

He further questioned, “So, the pressing issue is: does @MamataOfficial believe she stands above the law, the Constitution, and the Indian Army? Or has she reduced the Chief Minister’s position and the state administration to a tool for her deceitful political agenda and autocratic tendencies?”