Mamata Banerjee Urges Calm, Raises Concerns Over Law and Order Situation

PTI, April 2, 2026, UTI/Sagardighi: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday stepped up her attack on the BJP and the Election Commission over the Malda judicial officers gherao, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of scripting a "blueprint of conspiracy" to foment unrest in the state and ultimately pave the way for President's rule ahead of the Assembly polls.

Addressing rallies at Sagardighi and Suti in Murshidabad district, Mamata struck a note of restraint even as she sharpened her attack, asking people not to fall into the "BJP's trap" of riots, blaming the Election Commission for "failing to protect" the judicial officers and asserting that she was fighting the battle politically despite having been stripped of administrative powers after the poll panel's intervention.

"My powers have been taken away and Bengal has been defamed. Nobody from the administration even informed me about the Malda incident," she said, referring to the gherao of seven judicial officers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise over alleged deletion of names from the electoral rolls.

Backing the apex court's observations, the Chief Minister said: "The Supreme Court has rightly said so."

The Supreme Court of India came down heavily on the West Bengal administration for their alleged inaction over the "deplorable" gherao and attack on seven judicial officers in Malda district during the SIR drive and ordered an independent probe by the CBI or NIA.

Condemning the incident, Mamata said people had the right to protest but "no one should touch the judges or judicial officers", and alleged that the Malda episode was being used to "defame the whole of Bengal".

"The BJP has made many plans and the Government of India is acting as its accomplice. Amit Shah is preparing the blueprint of a conspiracy. I appeal to all of you - do not fall into the trap of riots. This is the BJP's plan," she said at the Suti rally.

The TMC supremo repeatedly urged her supporters not to respond to provocation and sought to portray the BJP as a party banking on polarisation and tension after failing to win Bengal electorally.

"They think they will win through muscle power. They think they can snatch victory by force. I appeal to everyone -- do not indulge in riots or violence. Remain calm. However much the BJP attacks Bengal, Bengal will win again," she said.

In a politically loaded remark, Mamata said people must ensure through their votes that those behind such attempts are punished.

"Those trying to divide people in the name of religion must be defeated democratically," she said.

The Chief Minister's remarks came against the backdrop of Wednesday's dramatic developments in Malda, where judicial officers involved in the SIR process were surrounded by agitated locals alleging that genuine voters' names had been deleted from electoral rolls.

Mamata condemned the gherao, but simultaneously blamed the Election Commission of India for what she called its failure to protect the officers.

"No one should touch the judges or judicial officers. People have every right to protest, but nobody should lay hands on them," she said.

At her first rally at Sagardighi, the TMC supremo said she was shocked that the EC, despite taking control of the administration after the announcement of elections, failed to ensure the officers' security.

"I condemn the Election Commission for failing to protect the judicial officers," she said.

Claiming that the EC had already stripped the state government of its authority by transferring senior officials and posting its own officers in key positions, Mamata said the poll panel could no longer evade responsibility.

"All my powers have been taken away. I have never seen such an Election Commission," she said.