West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a firm rebuke to the Central government on Tuesday, declaring that her administration would not establish any detention camps within the state. The announcement came during the high-profile launch of 'Unnayoner Panchali', a unique 15-year governance report card presented through traditional Bengali lyrical storytelling, setting the stage for the 2026 Bengal Assembly elections.
A Defiant Stand on Detention and Federalism
Addressing a gathering in Kolkata on December 2, 2025, the Trinamool Congress chief positioned herself as a guardian of constitutional and secular values. "I obey the Constitution. I do secular politics. I will not make any detention camp here. I don't want to put people in trouble," Banerjee asserted. While not directly naming the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, she launched a sharp critique against the Centre's approach towards state officials.
"Don't give forceful instructions to our officers like the British," she urged the Central government. "If you want to give instructions, send them to the state government. Otherwise, we have to save our officers." Striking a conciliatory yet firm note on federal relations, she added, "You may torture us, deprive us, we will still talk about cooperation. We want your cooperation, we want cooperative federalism."
Compensation for SIR-Related Hardships and a Governance 'Panchali'
In a significant humanitarian announcement, the Chief Minister revealed a compensation package for individuals and families affected by the stress associated with the SIR. The state government will provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives or died by alleged suicide due to SIR-related stress. Furthermore, families of those injured or hospitalised will receive Rs 1 lakh.
"As far as I know, till date, 39 persons have died because of SIR, including BLOs. Thirteen persons are hospitalised and three persons tried to commit suicide and are now undergoing treatment. All those families will get compensation," Banerjee stated, providing specific figures on the toll.
The event's centrepiece was the launch of 'Unnayoner Panchali', an innovative campaign documenting Banerjee's 15-year governance journey by transforming policy achievements into a 'Panchali'—Bengal's centuries-old oral verse tradition. Noted singer Iman Chakraborty performed the lyrical report card with her team. Banerjee connected the initiative to cultural roots, saying, "Earlier our mothers and grandmothers used to sing Panchali in the evenings... This has become extinct now — it still happens in villages where people light diyas under tulsi plants."
Electoral Roadmap and Development Push
With an eye on the 2026 polls, the Chief Minister outlined administrative priorities and electoral plans. She directed all District Magistrates to balance election duties with development work. "I know you are busy with election duty, but don't ignore developmental work. What we committed to people, we have to deliver. Those district administrations that complete their work early will be rewarded," she instructed.
She also tasked Chief Secretary Manoj Pant with forming a dedicated ten-officer monitoring team to oversee project development. In a strategic shift, Banerjee announced that the flagship Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) would not be held before the elections. Instead, a business conclave is scheduled for December 18. "We will organise BGBS next year after the election and after forming the government," she clarified.
Showcasing her government's record, Banerjee claimed substantial achievements: pulling 1.72 crore families out of poverty, generating over 2 crore employment opportunities, reducing unemployment by 40%, creating over 1 crore jobs in the MSME sector, and developing 12 lakh new self-help groups. Taking a swipe at the BJP, she concluded, "What we promised, we did. We are not like the BJP who show off before elections — they promised to give ten thousand in Bihar and gave bulldozers after winning the election."
