Mamata slams attack on CJI Gavai
The Statesman | 7 October 2025She wrote on her X-handle: “I condemn the attack today on the Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai ji in the Supreme Court premises. This has been a most outrageous thing and effectively an assault on the Constitution of India.
“I personally respect Justice Gavai and send him my regards from the flood-hit North Bengal where I am camping now.”
After her daylong tour of the flood-affected areas, she wrote: “When the people of Bengal are in distress, I feel their suffering as my own. The recent heavy rainfall and landslides have caused severe flooding across North Bengal, leading to the tragic loss of lives, livelihoods, and property. Dhupguri, Nagrakata, large parts of Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, as well as Matigara, Jorebunglow Sukhiapokhri, Mirik, and other areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, are among the worst affected.
“Today, I visited Hasimara and Nagrakata, meeting families and locals, assessing their needs, and assuring them of the full support and cooperation of the State Government. Our Chief Secretary and Director General of Police are on the front lines, personally monitoring the situation, while senior leaders, volunteers, and the State Disaster Management Force continue to carry out rescue and relief operations on a war footing.
“We have arranged buses to evacuate stranded tourists, opened community kitchens and relief camps to provide food and shelter, and announced compensation of Rs 5 lakhs and a Home Guard position for the families of those who have lost their lives. Tea garden workers who have suffered losses will also receive compensation from the State Government in the coming days.
“I have repeatedly urged the Centre to constitute an Indo-Bhutan River Commission, but there has been no response. In addition, the lack of proper dredging and desiltation, and unilateral water releases from DVC-controlled dams have compounded the situation, resulting in avoidable tragedies.
“But in times of crisis, politics must never take precedence over people’s lives. The State Government remains committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with those affected. I urge everyone to maintain faith, remain calm, and not fall prey to provocations. Compassion, empathy, and humanity must guide us all.”
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the law and order situation in Bengal and the TMC for the attack on a BJP MP in the state, CM Mamata Banerjee hit back at the PM. She wrote: “It is unfortunate and deeply concerning that the Prime Minister of India has chosen to politicise a natural disaster without waiting for a proper investigation, especially while people in North Bengal are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods and landslides.
“When the entire local administration and police is engrossed in relief and rescue operations, the BJP leaders chose to go to the affected areas with a large convoy of cars and under security cover of the central forces and that too without any information to local police and administration. How can the state administration, local police or the TMC be blamed for the incident?
“The incident occurred in a constituency where the people themselves have elected a BJP MLA. Yet the Prime Minister sees no contradiction in painting the incident as a reflection of TMC’s so-called “strongmanship.” Such sweeping, unsubstantiated generalisations are not only immature, but also, they are unbecoming of the highest office in the land.
“Coming from a Prime Minister who visited Manipur only 964 days after it was engulfed in ethnic violence, the sudden concern for Bengal appears less like empathy and more like opportunistic political theatre.
“Yes, we all condemn violence, unequivocally. But this is not the time for partisan chest-thumping. This is a time to help and heal.
“I urge the Prime Minister: Listen to the elected state government, not just your party colleagues. You are the Prime Minister of India, not just of BJP. Your responsibility lies in nation-building, not narrative-building…”
