A video showing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee purportedly pushing a policewoman has gone viral on social media, sparking controversy. The incident occurred at Padmapukur on Thursday, where police moved to disperse supporters of the Trinamool Congress after the Calcutta High Court declined permission for a march proposed by Banerjee's faction of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Background of the Incident
The Calcutta High Court had earlier barred the TMCP from holding a rally or march in Kolkata, citing law and order concerns. Despite the court order, supporters gathered at Padmapukur, leading to a confrontation with police. In the video, Banerjee is seen interacting with a group of women police personnel, and at one point, she appears to push one of them. The West Bengal Police have not officially commented on the incident yet.
Political Reactions
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized upon the video, accusing Banerjee of disrespecting women in uniform. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said, "This shows the arrogance of the TMC government. Mamata Banerjee thinks she is above the law." Meanwhile, TMC leaders dismissed the video as misleading and claimed it was a conspiracy to defame the chief minister.
Court Order and Protest
The Calcutta High Court, in its order on Wednesday, had refused to allow the TMCP rally, stating that similar protests in the past had led to violence. The TMCP had planned the march to demand a probe into the alleged NEET paper leak. The incident has once again put the spotlight on the state's law and order situation and the ongoing political tussle between the TMC and the BJP.
