MPs stood in defence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and condemned a statement by a BJP’s youth wing leader announcing a ₹11-lakh bounty to anyone who beheads Banerjee.

Yogesh Varshney, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), announced the “bounty” after the West Bengal police used batons to disperse a rally raising slogans in praise of Lord Ram on Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday.

Trinamool Congress members raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, and got the support of members from all parties. Deputy Chairman of the House PJ Kurien said the State government can register an FIR and take action against the youth leader.

TMC member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said the BJP activist publicly described Mamata as a “demon”. The BJP government at the centre is trying to “unleash a reign of terror” in West Bengal in the name of religion and other things, he added.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: “I strongly condemn such type of statements. The State government is free to take appropriate legal action on this issue.” Kurien said: “On such people action can be taken under the law. An FIR should be registered. Law should take its own course.”

BSP leader Mayawati termed it as a “serious matter” and said: “BJP should not just condemn the statement, but should also take action.”

Jaya Bachchan of the SP said there is a need to take “aggressive” steps for protection of women. “You can protect cows, but women are facing atrocities,” she added. “How dare somebody talk like this? Is this the way you are going to protect women?”

In the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said such a statement by anyone is completely wrong and the government strongly condemns it. “She is an elected an Chief Minister and due respect must be given to her. We strongly condemn it,” he said.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said there have been many unpleasant incidents in the political discourse in recent past and everyone must work together to improve it. “This is complete wrong. All sides must exercise restraint,” she said. TMC member Saugata Roy said: “Mamata Banerjee is not only an elected CM but a former member of this House too. It is a serious and alarming behaviour and the House must condemn it. She is a grassroot leader and government must take action on it.”

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said his party fully associates with the sentiment and such incidents must not happen anywhere.

“A strong message should go from the government against such behaviour and action must be taken against the guilty,” he said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW