West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stirred political controversy by urging the Centre to involve the United Nations in deploying peacekeepers to Bangladesh, citing the persecution of Hindu minorities. The BJP, however, dismissed her plea as “crocodile tears” and accused her of failing to take concrete action.
Speaking in the state assembly, Banerjee criticized the Centre for its “inaction” over the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, where attacks on Hindu minorities have intensified. She proposed the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to restore normalcy and urged the Union government to clarify its position in Parliament.
Banerjee said, “We can rehabilitate the persecuted Indians from Bangladesh. Sharing one roti is not a problem if the need arises. There will be no shortage of food for them.” She also called for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to address the issue with Bangladesh’s interim government or escalate it to the UN.
On the other hand, BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari joined protests organized at the Petrapole international border. He threatened an “indefinite export embargo” against Bangladesh if attacks on Hindus and their institutions continue. “If these atrocities don’t stop, we will impose a complete export ban. Let’s see how they survive without our potatoes and onions,” Adhikari warned.
BJP Questions Mamata’s Intentions
While welcoming the suggestion of UN peacekeepers, Adhikari claimed he had raised this demand earlier and accused Banerjee of merely posturing. He criticized her government for allegedly barricading protests last week against the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.
“Mamata Banerjee should stop shedding crocodile tears. This is an existential crisis for Bengali-speaking Hindus, not a political gimmick,” Adhikari said.
BJP leader Amit Malviya echoed similar sentiments, accusing Banerjee of hypocrisy and inaction. He emphasized that Banerjee’s MPs should raise the issue in Parliament if she truly cares about protecting Hindus in Bangladesh.
Banerjee also took a dig at the BJP, asking why its central leadership wasn’t proactively addressing the Bangladesh crisis. “The BJP’s leaders are demanding trade closures, but such actions are governed by international agreements, not state decisions,” she clarified.
As protests intensify along the border and political blame games escalate, the situation in Bangladesh continues to fuel debates within India. While the BJP demands stronger action against the persecution of Hindus, Banerjee’s call for UN intervention adds a new layer of complexity to the diplomatic crisis.
