Mamata Banerjee threatens to 'topple' Modi government in wake of Kolkata doctor rape-murder case protests

Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a threat that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempts to ignite a fire in her state, it will not spare Assam, Bihar, Manipur or even the capital city of Delhi. Mamata's statement, where she called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi, immediately drew sharp reactions from political leaders across the party lines.  

The CM's statement comes at a time when the state is embroiled in protests from the doctors, the common public as well as BJP workers in the wake of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. BJP has alleged that the West Bengal government botched the case investigation to shield some of its aides involved. 

“Some people are thinking this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh, their culture and food are the same as ours. But Bangladesh is a separate country and India is a separate country," said Mamata in a public address. 

"Modi babu, you want that fire to spread in Bengal. Then you should understand that if a fire starts in Bengal, Assam will not be spared, Bihar will not be spared, it will not stop at Manipur, or Odisha. It will also reach Delhi. We will topple your chair.”

Watch | Kolkata Protests: President Murmu's strong stand over Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder | WION Originals

BJP demands actions

In response, BJP state chief and union minister, Sukanta Majumdar, wrote a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing Mamata of making "anti-national" statements and urged the government to take action. 

"It is unthinkable and unprecedented for a chief minister, who is constitutionally bound to rise above partisan attitudes, to make such intimidating statements that pose a threat to democracy," said Majumdar.

Also read | Kolkata rape and murder case: Deceased doctor's diary reveals new details

After Mamata's comments snowballed into a fresh controversy, the West Bengal CM on Thursday issued a statement. 

"Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false," she added.

Mamata said she spoke against the BJP in her speech because they had been threatening democracy in West Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has been on the backfoot ever since the gory details of the crime emerged. The apathy of the Kolkata Police in handling the case was also exposed during a Supreme Court hearing where the bench, headed by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, gave an earful to the authorities.

"The entire procedure followed by your state is something which I have not come across in the 30 years of my life," Justice Pardiwala said during the hearing.

The bench termed the delay by the Kolkata Police in registering the unnatural death case in the rape-murder of the postgraduate doctor "extremely disturbing". 

(With inputs from agencies)