Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of ‘hooliganism’ after alleged attack on Kali Puja celebrations in Kolkata

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "hooliganism", alleging that a group of people attacked a Kali Puja celebration in Kolkata's Kalighat area in the early hours of the day, following an alleged attack on the residence of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.

Police reached Abhishek Banerjee's residence after he reported that his house had been attacked at around 2 a.m. The incident took place ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali, prompting Mamata Banerjee to question the alleged disruption of traditional celebrations in the locality.

"Tomorrow is Kali Puja and Diwali. Last night, at 2:00 AM, an attack was carried out at Abhishek Banerjee's house. This is our locality, a route through which many processions of Goddess Kali pass. Why are you causing such a disturbance?" she said.

The TMC chief alleged that permissions for long-standing traditional pujas had been withdrawn while new celebrations were being allowed. She also claimed that local clubs had been prevented from carrying out their activities.

"We are part of the 'INDIA' alliance, and this is the reason for their anger," she added.

Accusing the BJP of deliberately creating disturbances, Mamata Banerjee said groups of people were arriving in the area late at night to disrupt their activities.

"There is complete hooliganism going on. People show up here at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning... If you dare to use a bulldozer, why do you come here at 3:00 in the morning with a gang of thugs to attack a Kali Puja celebration?" she said.

She also alleged that a new puja had been granted permission on the main road, blocking access to an existing celebration in the locality.

"This is completely illegal. Look at the club in our area; they wouldn't let us carry on with our activities all night long. Look at the 'puja' that has been set up right on the main road; it was granted illegal permission. A 'puja' was never held there before; it used to take place inside. Yesterday evening, around 9:00 PM, they placed it right at the road bend, effectively blocking access to our own 'puja'. What is this? This is pure high-handedness and oppression," she said.

Issuing a sharp warning over the alleged intimidation, she added: "You want to bring in bulldozers? Go ahead—run your bulldozers over us, over our very bodies."

Kirti Azad alleges seven attacks on Abhishek Banerjee

Meanwhile, TMC MP Kirti Azad raised concerns over the alleged attack, claiming that Abhishek Banerjee had faced seven life-threatening attacks in the past six months.

Azad said he had written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging a breakdown of law and order in West Bengal and accusing the police of failing to act.

"The state of law and order in West Bengal is perhaps unlike anything seen anywhere else... Abhishek Banerjee has been the target of 7 life-threatening attacks in the last six months alone. I have written to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha regarding this, highlighting the complete breakdown of law and order in West Bengal; the police are effectively 'turning a blind eye' to the situation..." he said.

Claiming that CCTV footage had captured the incident, Azad alleged that a group armed with stones and sticks attacked the premises for 30 to 45 minutes at around 2 a.m. on Abhishek Banerjee's birthday. He also claimed that the attackers attempted to damage property and demolished small shops in the vicinity.

"CCTV footage exists for every one of these incidents. Today happens to be Abhishek Banerjee's birthday; at 2:00 AM, CCTV footage captured individuals, armed with stones and sticks, spending 30 to 45 minutes attacking the premises and attempting to destroy property. They even demolished small, local shops nearby," he said.

Azad further alleged that police personnel did not arrest anyone involved and instead escorted the alleged attackers away.

"When the police arrived, they did not arrest anyone; instead, they escorted the perpetrators away as if they were companions, ushering them along..." he claimed.

Appealing to political parties not to turn political differences into personal attacks, the TMC MP warned that such incidents could have consequences for everyone.

"Such incidents must not be allowed to happen. I want to tell all those in the BJP: political battles are one thing, but making it personal is wrong, because if the tables turn, the same could happen to you. And, as the saying goes, what goes around comes around..." he said.

Further details about the alleged attack and the police investigation are awaited.

(With ANI inputs)