The political heat in West Bengal continues to rise as BJP National President J P Nadda targeted TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee for banning the film “The Kerala Story” in the state. Nadda, while addressing an event where he unveiled the book “Democracy in Coma,” criticized Banerjee’s style of functioning and accused her of undermining democracy.
Nadda expressed his dismay over the ban imposed on “The Kerala Story,” a film directed by Sudipto Sen. The movie portrays the forced conversion of women from Kerala and their recruitment by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS). Nadda emphasized that the film does not promote any particular religion or state and should not have been banned.
The BJP chief accused Mamata Banerjee, known as one of the champions of democracy, of silencing opposition voices and claimed that there is no democracy left in West Bengal. He stated, “There is nothing left in the name of democracy in West Bengal. It is indeed a democracy in coma in the state.”
Nadda’s remarks come amidst the ongoing political storm surrounding the film and allegations of hate speech against its makers. Opposition parties have criticized the movie, but Nadda defended its right to exist and called out the ban as an attack on freedom of expression.
During his speech, Nadda also highlighted the post-assembly poll violence in West Bengal, which is the subject of the book “Democracy in Coma.” He emphasized that the incidents mentioned in the book are not fictional stories but factual accounts of the violence that unfolded in the state. Nadda himself claimed to be a victim of the violence, citing an attack on him during a visit to Diamond Harbour.
The BJP leader appealed to the people, stating that change is needed in Bengal and can be achieved through their collective strength. He emphasized that the focus should be on bringing about positive transformation rather than seeking revenge.
The political landscape in West Bengal remains highly charged as the clash between the BJP and TMC continues. The ban on “The Kerala Story” has become a focal point of contention, with the BJP criticizing Mamata Banerjee’s governance and raising concerns about the state of democracy in the region. The coming months will reveal how these political dynamics unfold and their impact on West Bengal’s future.