BJP Leader Arjun Singh Calls for Armed Preparedness Amid Rising Concerns Over Bangladesh Situation

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews,  December 9, 2024, North 24 Parganas : Amid ongoing concerns over the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, BJP leader and former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh has stirred controversy with a call for armed preparedness among Indian households. During a BJP membership campaign in Kaugachi, Jagatdal, Singh urged residents to equip themselves with swords and weapons, citing potential spillovers of the situation in Bangladesh into Bengal.

Referring to escalating tensions across the border, Singh stated, "The situation in Bangladesh could replicate itself in Bengal in the coming days. The plea for intervention in Kolkata should not be dismissed as a joke." He warned of alleged "jihadi infiltration" into Bengal and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of negligence, claiming, "Liquor, gambling, and extortion are rampant, while development is nonexistent."

Singh also shared a video asserting that Kolkata has fallen under the influence of "jihadists," and he appealed for increased BJP membership to "turn India into a Hindu nation and safeguard Sanatan Dharma." He added that Bengal must learn from the unrest in Bangladesh, where attacks on minority communities have raised alarms.

The BJP's membership drive is active in multiple locations, with leaders such as State BJP Mahila Morcha President Falguni Sarkar spearheading efforts in areas including Dattapukur, Bhatapara, and Naihati. A rally, supported by the Banga Hindu Raksha Samiti, was held in Naihati, amplifying calls for vigilance and unity.

Meanwhile, provocative statements from across the border have further fueled tensions. Retired Bangladeshi Major Sharif claimed that Bangladesh has the capacity to "occupy Kolkata in four days" and urged boycotts of Indian products. This rhetoric has heightened unease amid reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, and actions such as the public burning of Indian sarees by BNP leaders have aggravated the situation.

These developments underscore the charged political and social atmosphere, as concerns grow about the implications of cross-border unrest on Bengal's stability.