Controversy has erupted over comments made by Abdur Rahim Bakshi, Malda district TMC president and MLA, who threatened to throw acid on a BJP MLA. The statement was coupled with a warning of social boycott for BJP members operating in the area. This stance, including threats to tear down BJP flags and assault MPs, has drawn strong condemnation from various quarters. Amit Malviya, a senior BJP leader, voiced his disapproval, questioning if such actions represent democracy or a form of terror. The remarks were made during a protest organized by the Block Trinamool Congress in Inayatanagar, Malatipur assembly constituency. The protest was centered around the alleged mistreatment of Bengalis in other states and the perceived disrespect shown towards the Bengali language. The event was attended by local MLA and district TMC president Abdur Rahim Bakshi, along with district officials including Abdul Hai and Rehena Parveen.
Amit Malviya criticized the TMC on social media, emphasizing Bakshi’s threat. He highlighted the history of violent rhetoric, specifically recalling previous threats against BJP, CPM, and Congress members. Malviya argued that violence is ingrained in TMC’s political approach and that the threats in Malda-Murshidabad, where Mamata Banerjee’s vote bank includes illegal immigrants, are a reflection of the party’s tactics, asking if this is democracy or terror.
Bakshi also made further controversial remarks from the stage, targeting Siliguri’s BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh. He declared that any BJP MLA who labels Bengali migrant workers as Bangladeshi Rohingyas would be subjected to an acid attack to silence their voice. He called for a boycott of the BJP, alleging persecution of Bengalis in BJP-ruled states and a lack of protest from BJP supporters. In response, Uttar Malda BJP MP Khagen Murmu organized a 24-hour sit-in at the Chanchal police station, accusing false cases against BJP workers. He also threatened to beat up the BJP MP, criticizing the program as undemocratic. In his defense, the district president claimed to the media that he did not make any undemocratic statements.
