BJP likens West Bengal situation to 'Banga Bhanga', accuses Mamata of turning state into Bangladesh

India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has described the situation in West Bengal as resembling 'Banga Bhanga' (1905 partition of Bengal), accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of trying to separate the state from India by inciting violence to stop the special intensive review (SIR) of voters' list and protecting Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.

BJP spokesman Sambit Patra at the party headquarters in New Delhi yesterday (17 January) told reporters, "The kind of governance that Mamata Banerjee has established in West Bengal has created a situation in the state today that is similar to the 'Banga Bhanga'.

"The British also wanted to appease certain groups and therefore wanted to divide Bengal into two parts. Given the prevailing scenario, sometimes it even feels as if West Bengal is a separate part of India. Is Bengal distant from India? Is Bengal even a part of India anymore?"

His remarks came as the BJP increased its rhetoric on infiltration in both West Bengal and Assam ahead of assembly elections due in March–April. Both states share a border with Bangladesh.

Patra's comments followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at a public rally in Malda, where he alleged an "alliance between infiltrators and the ruling party".

According to Patra, Mamata Banerjee's "intention is to do 'Banga Bhanga' of West Bengal to turn it into Bangladesh". He alleged she was dividing the state "on the foundation of appeasement politics".

He also issued a warning to Mamata, saying, "By dividing India, by dividing Bengal, you will never be victorious. And India will not remain silent."

He urged people in the state to "wake up and unite", adding, "To keep India united, we must be united. 'Ek hain to safe hain' (If we are together, we are safe)."

Patra claimed the chief minister was trying to stop the special intensive review "through violence" to protect "Bangladeshis and Rohingya infiltrators".

He alleged that violence was taking place in Murshidabad, with National Highway 12 blocked and train services suspended.

"Trains are being burnt, and Mamata Banerjee is justifying it, saying it's happening due to the minorities' anger," he said.

He further alleged that election officials were facing extreme pressure from Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers.

"[Even election officials] are not safe there. They are committing suicide, succumbing to extreme pressure," he claimed.

Patra said there were "72 sensitive points along the border" through which Bangladeshis were entering and alleged that the state government was not providing land to fence these areas.

He claimed the demography of several districts had changed due to what he described as "an artificial increase" caused by illegal immigration.

He accused TMC-linked agencies of running a racket to supply fake identity documents.

"Mamata Banerjee has opened a shop for granting Indian citizenship in exchange for amounts ranging from 10,000 rupees to 10 lakh rupees. A Rohingya can become an Indian, a Bangladeshi can also become an Indian," he alleged.

Patra concluded by claiming that three words now defined the Trinamool Congress, "T for 'Tushtikaran' (appeasement), M for Mafia, and C for Crime by infiltrators. In Bengal, the politics of appeasement is at its peak, mafia rule and goondaism are at their peak, and Mamata Banerjee does not hesitate even for a moment to conceal crimes being committed by infiltrators."