Kolkata: The political temperature is at its peak amid the assembly elections in West Bengal, but in the meantime, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is embroiled in a big controversy. The ‘National Commission for Scheduled Castes’ (NCSC) has issued a strict notice to Mamata Banerjee for allegedly making caste- remarks during an election rally. The Commission has taken this matter very seriously and has sought a reply from Didi within just 3 days.
What is the whole matter? Actually, this whole controversy started after a video clip surfaced. According to reports, while addressing a public meeting in Kolkata’s Chowringhee area on April 23, Mamata Banerjee had allegedly used a derogatory term like ‘Chamar’ for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. The Commission took suo motu cognizance of this clip after it was broadcast on a Bengali news channel. This video is becoming increasingly viral on social media, due to which opposition parties have opened a front against the Mamata government.
NCSC showed strict stance Scheduled Caste Commission Director Sonali Dutta has sent an official letter to State Chief Secretary Dushyant Nariyala and Director General of Police (DGP) Siddha Nath Gupta in this matter. The Commission, using its powers under Article 338 of the Constitution, has made it clear that protecting the interests and dignity of the SC community is its priority. The Commission has warned that if a satisfactory ‘Action Taken Report’ is not received within three days, it will not shy away from taking strict legal action and issuing summons against Didi.
Difficulties increased just before the elections This notice can also become a big problem for Mamata Banerjee because the second phase of voting in Bengal is to be held on April 29. In this phase, voting will be held on 142 seats in 6 districts including Kolkata. In Bengal politics, the vote bank of Scheduled Castes is considered the key to power. Making such allegations and receiving notice from the constitutional body just 72 hours before voting can spoil the electoral equations of Trinamool Congress (TMC).
If the allegations are true, what will be the punishment? If these allegations against Mamata Banerjee are proved to be legally true, then action can be taken against her under Section 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The provisions of punishment under this law are quite stringent:
BJP’s attack, TMC’s counterattack BJP has cornered Mamata Banerjee on this issue and demanded a public apology from her. BJP leaders say that this is an insult to Dalits and backward people. On the other hand, TMC has rejected these allegations outright. The party says that Mamata Banerjee’s statement has been distorted by the opposition and it is a political conspiracy to mislead the public before the elections.
