West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday strongly criticised the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), claiming that more than half of those who lost their lives in incidents linked to the enumeration process across India were Hindus. She warned the party against “cutting the very branch it was sitting on.”
Speaking at an anti-SIR rally in Murshidabad, a district with a significant minority population, Banerjee accused the BJP of indulging in religious politics ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
“The BJP is playing the religion card over SIR. More than half of those who died in SIR-related incidents were Hindus. Don’t cut the very branch you are sitting on,” Banerjee said.
Reaffirming her firm stance, she added, “I will never allow NRC or detention camps in Bengal. Even if they slit my throat, no one will be driven out.” The statement was met with loud applause from the crowd.
Banerjee emphasised that Bengal would continue to be a “safe and inclusive” state, pledging protection for Waqf properties. “Waqf properties will not be encroached upon; ensuring the safety of minorities is my responsibility,” she said.
She also criticised what she called a “conspiracy of misinformation”, alleging that false reports were being circulated regarding religious sites being recorded as mosques or burial grounds in land records.
“For days now, some groups have been spreading rumours that the state government has listed religious sites as mosques or graveyards under Collector Khatian No. 1. This is completely untrue,” she said.
Banerjee further accused certain individuals of taking BJP money to spread misinformation. “In every religion, there are a few who take money from the BJP and spread lies. Artificial intelligence is being misused; my face has been used to circulate statements I never made. They profit from corruption and then call others ‘jhoot’ (falsehood)!” she said.
She also blamed the BJP for creating unnecessary fear about undocumented people entering Bengal, pointing out that border control is the responsibility of the Centre.
In a show of solidarity with the people, Banerjee revealed that she had not yet filled her own SIR enumeration form. “I will complete it only after all your names are included. I have instructed ‘May I Help You’ camps at every booth to assist people,” she said.
Warning minority voters against the danger of vote-splitting, she referred to the Bihar elections. “In Bihar, four Independent candidates were fielded in each constituency, which ultimately helped the BJP. If Independents divide votes, you lose, and they gain,” she cautioned.
Inputs from PTI
Speaking at an anti-SIR rally in Murshidabad, a district with a significant minority population, Banerjee accused the BJP of indulging in religious politics ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
“The BJP is playing the religion card over SIR. More than half of those who died in SIR-related incidents were Hindus. Don’t cut the very branch you are sitting on,” Banerjee said.
Reaffirming her firm stance, she added, “I will never allow NRC or detention camps in Bengal. Even if they slit my throat, no one will be driven out.” The statement was met with loud applause from the crowd.
Banerjee emphasised that Bengal would continue to be a “safe and inclusive” state, pledging protection for Waqf properties. “Waqf properties will not be encroached upon; ensuring the safety of minorities is my responsibility,” she said.
She also criticised what she called a “conspiracy of misinformation”, alleging that false reports were being circulated regarding religious sites being recorded as mosques or burial grounds in land records.
“For days now, some groups have been spreading rumours that the state government has listed religious sites as mosques or graveyards under Collector Khatian No. 1. This is completely untrue,” she said.
Banerjee further accused certain individuals of taking BJP money to spread misinformation. “In every religion, there are a few who take money from the BJP and spread lies. Artificial intelligence is being misused; my face has been used to circulate statements I never made. They profit from corruption and then call others ‘jhoot’ (falsehood)!” she said.
She also blamed the BJP for creating unnecessary fear about undocumented people entering Bengal, pointing out that border control is the responsibility of the Centre.
In a show of solidarity with the people, Banerjee revealed that she had not yet filled her own SIR enumeration form. “I will complete it only after all your names are included. I have instructed ‘May I Help You’ camps at every booth to assist people,” she said.
Warning minority voters against the danger of vote-splitting, she referred to the Bihar elections. “In Bihar, four Independent candidates were fielded in each constituency, which ultimately helped the BJP. If Independents divide votes, you lose, and they gain,” she cautioned.
Inputs from PTI
