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Former CM Mamata Banerjee appeared at the Calcutta High Court as a lawyer, alleging post-poll violence and demanding judicial intervention for Bengal’s safety.
Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, marking a significant personal and political moment. In her first appearance as a lawyer in this court, she filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning alleged post-poll violence. Banerjee urged the bench, led by Chief Justice HC Sujoy Pal, to protect the people of Bengal, explicitly stating, “This is not a bulldozer state.” She accused the police of failing to act against attacks and intimidation targeting political workers and party offices following the recent elections.
The case stems from allegations of violence and arson affecting Trinamool Congress workers and their properties after the BJP secured power in the state. Banerjee, who completed her law degree from Jogesh Chandra College of Law in 1982, expressed her regard for the judges, emphasizing her role as a lawyer fighting for justice. She alleged that violence was escalating daily, with incidents including the looting of houses and offices, and the threat of rape against a 12-year-old girl in her own family. Highlighting the severity of the situation, she noted that out of ten deaths reported, six were Hindus, and urged the police to behave properly as FIRs were allegedly not being lodged.
The petition was filed by advocate Sirsanya Banerjee, son of TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, who is also a TMC candidate from the Uttarpara assembly constituency. Kalyan Bandopadhyay, present in the courtroom, described the extent of the damage, stating that many TMC party offices had been burnt. He drew a comparison to the 2021 post-poll violence, noting that the current Chief Justice had constituted a five-judge bench for that case, but asserted that today’s incidents were more severe than those during the previous election cycle.
The All India Trinamool Congress approached the Calcutta High Court seeking judicial intervention due to alleged incidents of arson, vandalism, and attacks across West Bengal after the Bharatiya Janat Party (BJP) victory. Reports of clashes emerged from Kolkata, Howrah, and various district towns, with both parties trading allegations. The petition seeks directions for the protection of affected workers and a proper investigation into the violence. TMC leaders have alleged that several party workers were killed and demanded a court-monitored inquiry.
Political reactions to Banerjee’s appearance were immediate. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh praised her presence, stating, “Mamata Banerjee is a leader who stays with the people and workers. Today, she is in the role of an advocate, fighting for the people.” In contrast, BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh commented on her arrival, saying, “She can go. She has gone there because it is her right. What work does she have now?” This legal move comes against the backdrop of the BJP scripting history by winning 207 seats, effectively ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in the state, where the TMC secured only 80 seats. The petition also references the recent deletion of victory margins in the SIR (Surrendered Input Records) process, with the Supreme Court asking Banerjee to file fresh pleas regarding this discrepancy.
Mamata Banerjee’s direct intervention in the Calcutta High Court signals an intensification of the political dispute following the West Bengal Assembly elections. By appearing as a lawyer rather than a politician, she aims to lend judicial credibility to the allegations of post-poll violence and police inaction. The TMC’s strategy appears focused on documenting the scale of the violence, including specific incidents of arson and threats, to force a court-monitored investigation. This legal battle is likely to prolong the tension between the newly installed BJP administration and the opposition TMC. The outcome could influence future electoral processes and law enforcement protocols in the state, as both sides continue to trade allegations of violence and intimidation. The ongoing judicial scrutiny may also impact the political narrative surrounding the recent election results and the subsequent shift in power dynamics in West Bengal.
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