TMC Alleges Hate Speech by Shuvendu Adhikari, Files Complaint with Election Commission

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 11, 2024, Kolkata : As campaigning for the by-elections in six West Bengal assembly constituencies came to a close on Monday afternoon, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) escalated tensions by filing a formal complaint with the Election Commission (EC), accusing the Leader of Opposition, Shuvendu Adhikari, of making inflammatory and divisive remarks. The TMC alleges that Adhikari, in his speech, violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by making baseless allegations against the party, its MP Samirul Islam, and raising contentious geopolitical issues related to neighboring Bangladesh.

The TMC claims that Adhikari’s statements were not only factually incorrect but also calculated attempts to stoke fear and communal tension within the electorate. The party has condemned the remarks as an effort to exploit religious sentiments and create divisions ahead of the crucial by-elections.

At the heart of the controversy is a speech made by Shuvendu Adhikari during his campaign in Taldangra on Saturday. While addressing a crowd of supporters, Adhikari remarked, “Have you seen the pictures from Bangladesh? 596 temples have been demolished. What atrocities on Hindus! Now they want to make West Bengal a second Bangladesh.” The TMC has expressed outrage over these comments, which they view as a deliberate attempt to incite communal violence and destabilize the state. According to TMC leaders, Adhikari’s speech was an unfounded comparison of the situation in Bangladesh with West Bengal, invoking unnecessary religious tensions in an already polarized environment.

Trinamool Congress media committee member Kunal Ghosh, along with Minister Shashi Panja, condemned Adhikari’s remarks and demanded that the Election Commission take immediate action against the BJP leader. Ghosh argued that the Leader of Opposition’s speech was an example of “hate speech” aimed at creating disharmony and undermining the peaceful atmosphere necessary for conducting fair elections.

On Monday morning, Kunal Ghosh, along with other TMC leaders, submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, presenting documents related to Adhikari's speech. Following this, Ghosh held a press conference, where he reiterated the party’s position. "We have formally requested the Election Commission to censor Shuvendu Adhikari for his communal and provocative statements. While the by-election campaign is officially ending this afternoon, this issue goes beyond just these elections. BJP leaders have frequently made such inflammatory remarks to destabilize Bengal on religious grounds," Ghosh said.

He continued, "Why is the situation in Bangladesh being unnecessarily brought into our election discourse? We have no specific information about the election climate in Bangladesh, and it is completely irrelevant to the issues we are facing in West Bengal. The aim is clear — to create division, to stoke fear, and to exploit religious lines for electoral gain. We demand that the Election Commission take decisive action to maintain peace in the state."

The allegations against Adhikari come at a critical time, just before the by-elections in six assembly constituencies — Madarihat, Sitai, Medinipur, Naihati, Haroa, and Taldangra — which are seen as a significant test for both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP. The TMC has framed the incident as part of a larger pattern of provocative rhetoric by BJP leaders, aimed at polarizing voters along religious lines in the run-up to the elections.

The Election Commission has yet to respond to the TMC's complaint, but the issue is expected to fuel further debate ahead of the by-election results. TMC leaders have vowed to keep up the pressure on Adhikari, accusing the BJP of using divisive tactics to undermine the state's social fabric.

The BJP, for its part, has yet to issue a statement responding to the allegations. However, party insiders argue that Adhikari’s comments were aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, and not at inciting violence in West Bengal.

As the by-election period ends, both parties are bracing for what is expected to be a hotly contested outcome. With tensions high and allegations of hate speech in the air, the results could have a significant impact on the political landscape of West Bengal in the months ahead.