Murshidabad violence | Mamata is the ‘Durga of the RSS’, says West Bengal CPI(M) leader
Blaming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the conspiracy behind the recent riots at Murshidabad, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Md. Salim on Sunday (April 20, 2025) also lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, describing her as the “Durga of the RSS”. His statement recalled the moniker given to Ms. Banerjee by the RSS itself over two decades ago, when she sought the Sangh’s support against the communist parties.
Addressing a mega rally of the CPI(M)‘s frontal organisations at the Brigade Parade Grounds, the CPI(M) leader quoted legendary Communist leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu’s words that “riots occur when the government wants riots to occur”.
“Therefore, if we consider [riots at] Dhulagarh, Basirhat Asansol, Raniganj and several other places in north Bengal, and last year at Rishra and Shibpur… the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wanted them (to occur) because she is the RSS’s Durga,” Mr. Salim said. He added that the RSS has been able to extend its footprints in West Bengal because the Trinamool Congress government has allowed the organisation to spread its wings.
Reacting to his remarks, BJP MP and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called Mr. Salim an “agent of Mamata Banerjee”.
Trading blame
Almost two decades ago in 2003, at the height of the Left Front government, the RSS leadership had described the Trinamool Congress chairperson as “Durga” and Ms. Banerjee had sought “just one percent support” from the RSS to fight the “red terror”.
Mr. Salim’s remarks come one day after Ms. Banerjee accused the RSS of conducting a “vicious false campaign” in West Bengal.
“BJP and its allies have suddenly become very aggressive in West Bengal. These allies include the RSS. I have not taken the RSS’s name earlier, but I am being forced now to identify them. Together, they all have initiated a vicious false campaign in the State,” the Chief Minister had written in an open letter which was made public on Saturday (April 19, 2025) evening.
Demand for judicial probe
Three people were killed in the violence that erupted in Murshidabad on April 11 and 12, and hundreds more had to flee and take shelter in Malda district. The CPI(M) leader demanded a judicial probe into the violence.
“We want a judicial probe into the Murshidabad riots to bring out the truth. The TMC and BJP are engaged in competitive communalism, which is nothing but a desperate ploy to shift focus from the real issues affecting the common people,” Mr. Salim said. He was among the first to visit the violence-affected areas and meet riot victims.
Pointing to the current situation in Bangladesh, Mr. Salim said, “The CPI(M) will not allow Murshidabad to turn into Bangladesh.. As long as Communists have blood in our veins, we will continue to fight those who indulge in riots.”
Speakers at the CPI(M) rally included the All India Krishak Sabha’s Amal Haldar, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader Anadi Sahu, and Sukharanjan Dey of the CPI(M) Bustee Front. DYFI president and newly inducted member to the CPI(M) central committee, Meenkashi Mukherjee, who is one of the biggest crowd pullers, did not address the gathering.
