Kolkata, 2 September (H.S.).

The West Bengal Assembly witnessed high drama on Tuesday as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay tabled a resolution against the “harassment of Bengal and Bengalis.” The move triggered a heated confrontation between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP.

As the debate began, BJP legislators shouted “Modi, Modi” slogans, prompting Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim to counter with cries of “Jai Bangla.” Chattopadhyay, in his speech, highlighted the recent case of alleged atrocities against a migrant worker’s child in Delhi. The remarks drew mocking interruptions from BJP lawmakers, who said “Aha re” sarcastically, sparking sharp objections from Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and Women & Child Development Minister Shashi Panja.

Visibly angered, Panja rebuked the opposition benches, saying, “Keep quiet. Your conduct is sheer indecency.” Her remarks momentarily silenced BJP legislators.

Throughout the discussion, TMC members invoked the names of iconic figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and revolutionary Khudiram Bose to underline Bengal’s cultural and historical legacy. The ruling side further accused BJP lawmakers of displaying a mindset reminiscent of colonial policies.

“We are not Bangladeshis, we are Indian Bengalis,” Firhad Hakim declared, dismissing the BJP’s narrative.

The sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches kept the Assembly tense for much of the session, underscoring the deepening political divide over identity and regional pride in Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh