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Mamata Banerjee slams BJP after non-veg vendors attacked at Kolkata Gita recital, linking it to political motives. She vows to protect personal freedoms, Bengal’s culture, and food choices- what really sparked the clash?
Mamata Banerjee slams BJP after non-veg vendors attacked at Kolkata Gita event
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the assault on two non-vegetarian food vendors during a Bhagavad Gita recital event in Kolkata, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of fostering a culture of intimidation and communal division.
Addressing a public gathering in Krishnanagar, she declared, “This is West Bengal, not Uttar Pradesh,” and promised strict action against the perpetrators.
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The incident occurred at the “Paanch Lokkho Konthe Gita Paath” event held at Brigade Parade Ground on 7 December. The vendors, selling chicken patties, were allegedly attacked, forced to do sit-ups while holding their ears, and had their food stock thrown away.
Following a viral video of the assault, Kolkata Police acted promptly, arresting three men on Wednesday night. Two complaints were filed at Maidan police station, and the authorities confirmed the arrests within hours of the incident.
Banerjee linked the attack to a broader environment of fear allegedly being created by the BJP ahead of elections. She referenced the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that “from SIR to harassment of poor vendors, everything is part of their conspiracy before elections.”
She accused the BJP of using religious texts like the Bhagavad Gita for political mobilization and promoting communal tensions.
The Chief Minister criticised the BJP for allegedly undermining Bengal’s culture and historical icons, including Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Surya Sen, Mahatma Gandhi, and others. She also highlighted instances of harassment faced by Bengalis in other states for speaking their mother tongue.
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Banerjee reaffirmed her government’s commitment to personal freedoms, saying citizens can choose whether to consume non-vegetarian food. She added, “As long as we are in power, no detention camps will be allowed in Bengal.”
Addressing the organizers of the Gita recital event, Banerjee emphasised the true meaning of dharma, saying it stands for purity of intention, humanity, and peace, not hatred or divisiveness. She urged respect for all religions, noting that devotion resides in people’s hearts rather than public displays.
