During the rally in front of the BJP headquarters in Central Avenue, the youth wing protestors also carried a copy of ‘Barnaporichoy’, a popular Bengali primer authored by state icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Speaking to reporters, BJP youth wing leader Indranil Khan said that through her derogatory comments, the TMC supremo had degraded not just the Prime Minister but also the reknowned primer which is used in the state to learn Bengali. The BJP wanted to “remind her of the richness of the Bengali language” and protested against its use for foul remarks.

Khan further said, “We deplore the way Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has talked about a respected leader like Modiji. This goes against the culture of Bengal and our heritage.” Noting the ‘Barnaporichoy,’ he added, “This also goes against the ideals of luminaries like Vidyasagar who had introduced ‘Barnaparichay’ to initiate Bengalis with the rich language. We are feeding honey on the lips of the CM (in a photo) as a symbolic step.”

In defence of their party leader, Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers claimed that BJP state chiefs have also used similar language towards Banerjee. The TMC called for self-introspection for the BJP in the matter. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh called into focus state BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari’s remark against Banerjee, calling her a “thief”. Ghosh also claimed that BJP leaders have used offensive terms for several national, non-BJP leaders.

He said, “Let them apologise for such expressions first.”

The developments took place as the Bengal CM allegedly used an ‘offensive’ word to describe PM Modi during her dharna demanding the release of central MGNREGA funds.