Why hold protests in Bengal, and not Delhi, asks TMC
Times of India | 15 April 2025
Kolkata: Urging anti-Waqf Act protesters not to fall into "BJP trap" and end up defaming Bengal, Trinamool on Monday asked demonstrators: "Why should roads in Bengal be blocked? Why should life be disrupted daily?" There was no point holding protests in Bengal, and not in Delhi, the party said.
"Why is life being disrupted in the name of protests? In Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee has already made it clear that provisions in the act which are against the people will not be implemented in Bengal. The Trinamool has opposed the waqf bill in Parliament, outside it, and has even moved the Supreme Court. Protesters have their right, but why is there an attempt to disrupt lives of others? Who are you disturbing?" Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.
Ghosh, who had the day before blamed a "deeper conspiracy" perpetrated by a "section of opposition politicians and a section within BSF" in allowing "outsiders" to stoke flames in Bengal, told reporters, "Who gains by this violence? Who gleefully posts these in social media to defame Bengal? Whose politics does it help? It helps BJP to target Bengal. It helps them to drive deeper their Hindu-Muslim divisive agenda. This is the trap laid out by BJP and in the name of protests you are falling for it."
"One should protest against this (act) a hundred times. But not with violence and arson. It does not help your cause," Ghosh added.
"Trinamool has been among the strongest opponents of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. So why are these protests being held in Bengal? This act was passed by Centre to wedge a divide. If there's a protest, it should be against Centre. The protests should be held in Delhi, and not Kolkata," Ghosh said and added: "CM Banerjee will be meeting the community elders at Netaji Indoor Stadium on April 16. We appeal for peace, urging people...do not fall into (BJP's) trap and be provoked."
Earlier in the day, TMC neta Debangshu Bhattacharya told reporters that BJP's playbook based on falsehood and lies was evident in Sandeshkhali, and now in Murshidabad.