West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sparked a fresh controversy with her remarks during an Eid celebration in Kolkata. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused her of making a “provocative” and “anti-Hindu” statement that allegedly insults Sanatan Dharma, a term often used to describe Hinduism.
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During her address at the Red Road Eid gathering, Banerjee condemned divisive politics and communal tensions. However, her remark about rejecting “ganda dharam” (dirty religion) has led to a strong backlash, with BJP leaders questioning whether she was referring to Sanatan Dharma.
While Banerjee’s party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has denied any religious attack, BJP leaders claim her words reflect political appeasement and an anti-Hindu stance.
What Exactly Did Mamata Banerjee Say?
Speaking at the Eid event, Banerjee emphasized religious harmony and condemned political forces that “misuse religion for power.” In her speech, she stated:
“I follow the religion of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda. I don’t follow the ‘ganda dharam’ created by them (BJP), they are even against Hindu dharma.”
While her words seemed aimed at the BJP’s “divisive politics,” the phrase “ganda dharam” has triggered massive outrage, as BJP leaders allege that Sanatan Dharma was the real target of her remark.
BJP’s Strong Reaction: ‘Is Sanatan Dharma a Ganda Dharam?’
BJP Leaders Condemn Mamata’s Speech
Several BJP leaders immediately lashed out at Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of insulting Hinduism while trying to appease a particular vote bank.
- Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, challenged Banerjee’s remarks:
“Kaun sa dharm ganda hai, Mamata Banerjee? While appeasing a particular community, you made a statement that you don’t follow ‘ganda dharam.’ Were you referring to Sanatan Dharma?” - Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT Cell Chief, slammed Banerjee on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Is Sanatan Dharma a ‘Ganda Dharam’ for Mamata Banerjee? Despite numerous anti-Hindu riots under her rule, she dares to mock Hindus and their faith.” - Sukanta Majumdar, BJP’s West Bengal unit chief, added:
“She insults Hindus every Eid while turning a blind eye to attacks on Hindu communities in Bengal. This is deliberate politics.”
Political Repercussions: A Deepening Divide
BJP’s Accusations Against Mamata Banerjee
- Anti-Hindu Narrative – BJP claims that Banerjee has repeatedly hurt Hindu sentiments to appease her minority vote bank.
- Selective Secularism – The party argues that Mamata only speaks about harmony during minority festivals but remains silent on issues affecting Hindus.
- Past Incidents – BJP cited Malda (2016), Basirhat (2017), and Sandeshkhali (2024) as examples where Hindu communities suffered under her government.
TMC’s Defense: ‘BJP Twisting Mamata’s Words’
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has strongly refuted BJP’s claims, stating that Mamata Banerjee never insulted Hinduism but criticized BJP’s communal politics.
- TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh defended Banerjee, saying:
“She never called Sanatan Dharma ‘ganda.’ She was talking about BJP’s misuse of religion to hate politics.” - TMC leader Jaiprakash Majumdar dismissed the controversy:
“BJP leaders have a habit of twisting statements. Mamata Banerjee follows Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, which are rooted in Sanatan Dharma.”
Public Reaction and Religious Sentiments
Mamata Banerjee’s statement has polarized the public, with Hindu groups, religious scholars, and common citizens reacting sharply.
- Hindu Organizations: Several Hindu groups have demanded a public apology from Mamata Banerjee.
- Muslim Community Leaders: Many clerics have urged politicians not to politicize religious festivals for electoral gains.
- General Public: Social media is filled with mixed reactions, with some condemning Banerjee while others accusing BJP of orchestrating a distraction before elections.
Historical Context: Mamata’s Past Controversies with Hindus
This is not the first time Mamata Banerjee has been accused of insulting Hindu traditions:
- Durga Puja Restrictions (2017) – Mamata’s government imposed immersion restrictions to accommodate Muharram processions, sparking outrage.
- Jai Shri Ram Arrests (2019) – Several people were detained for chanting “Jai Shri Ram” near Mamata’s convoy.
- Sandalwood Smearing on Goddess Kali (2021) – Mamata’s comment on “Kali as a meat-eating goddess” angered Hindu groups.
Moving Forward: A Political and Religious Storm Before Elections
The controversy over Mamata Banerjee’s “ganda dharam” remark has become a major flashpoint in Bengal politics. With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, both BJP and TMC are expected to escalate their attacks on each other.
While Mamata Banerjee maintains that her statement was against BJP’s communalism, the BJP is using it as a rallying point for Hindu voters.
As the debate intensifies, one thing is certain: the intersection of politics and religion in India remains as explosive as ever.
By – Nikita
