Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Sunday declared her intention to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers who allegedly planned to hurl eggs and tomatoes at her. She emphasized that political opposition must not descend into physical intimidation and warned that she would take the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Alleged Incident Outside Krishnanagar Court
The Krishnanagar MP's strong reaction came after she claimed that a group of BJP women supporters had gathered outside the Krishnanagar district court with eggs and tomatoes ahead of her scheduled appearance in a case on Thursday. However, Moitra did not attend the hearing for reasons that remain unclear, and the planned protest did not materialize.
Political Climate in Bengal
This incident occurs amid a worsening political atmosphere in West Bengal, where throwing eggs at Trinamool functionaries has become a common form of public protest. What started with demonstrations against party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has evolved into a pattern of protests involving rotten eggs directed at various party members.
Moitra stated, "Political criticism is part of democracy. But disruptive acts and attempts at physical intimidation cannot be normalized." She asserted that elected representatives are entitled to security and dignity during public engagements.
Social Media Posts and Video Message
On Saturday, Moitra shared photographs on Facebook that she claimed showed 13 BJP women workers waiting with eggs and tomatoes. She later released a video message addressing those she accused of planning the protest. "I will file an FIR. If it is not accepted, I will file a case under Section 156(3) before the magistrate. If the magistrate does not listen, I will go to the High Court. If the High Court does not act, I will go to the Supreme Court," she said in the video.
Reference to Previous Incident
Moitra also referenced a recent incident involving former state correctional administration minister Ujjwal Biswas, who was allegedly pelted with eggs by a crowd at his home while officials from the local Block Development Office (BDO) were collecting relief materials stored there. "I had asked Ujjwal to lodge an FIR. He did not do it. But I will lodge an FIR against them," Moitra added.
Reactions from BJP and Others
BJP functionary Keya Ghosh responded sarcastically, saying, "Mahua Moitra is threatening people with FIRs and cases if she too is welcomed with eggs. But what if the protesters come wearing helmets? Also, she should ask for a blanket ban as people could pelt rotten tomatoes or potatoes instead of eggs."
Former Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy also commented on the issue, writing on X, "As far as I know, there is no prohibition against throwing eggs or tomatoes in the Indian Penal Code or the Code of Criminal Procedure. Therefore, those who wish to may throw eggs or tomatoes with a joyful heart. However, a request: please do not throw good eggs or tomatoes; bring rotten eggs from the egg tray and throw those."
Legal Perspective
Former Advocate General Jayanta Mitra offered a different view. "Throwing eggs or any object at people is against the law. How is it that when a person is being taken into custody, before their guilt has been established, they are being punished this way? It is unacceptable in a civilised society. It is the police's responsibility to control the crowd. If they are unable to, then the police are not discharging their duties. This sort of act is a breach of peace. It is a criminal offence. Attacking a person constitutes criminal assault. These things used to happen in medieval times, with accused people being beaten to death as part of mob justice. Those were the past; today is supposed to be a civilised society. Without supporting what the accused may have done, I also cannot support what others are doing to these people."
