Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, December 9, 2024, New Delhi : BJP leader and former Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy has stirred controversy with sharp remarks about the silence of Bengal’s intellectuals and political leaders on alleged Hindu persecution in Bangladesh. Roy’s comments come amid growing tensions over the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, which has further strained India-Bangladesh relations.
Roy criticized prominent leftist intellectuals, including Srijato, Aparna Sen, and Kaushik Sen, for not speaking out against the incidents in Bangladesh. “Where are the protests from Bengal’s leftist intellectuals? Why are they silent about the Hindu persecution?” he questioned.
His criticism extended to senior left-wing leaders such as Biman Basu and Mohammad Salim. On his X handle, Roy lashed out at their inaction, remarking, “Not only Bengali leftists like Bimanda and Salim, but the so-called champions of liberalism are quiet on brutal Hindu oppression in Bangladesh.”
The BJP leader also took aim at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of prioritizing Muslim votes. Mockingly referring to her as the “owner of milk cows,” he suggested her stance was influenced by vote-bank politics.
Observers note that Roy’s pointed remarks are part of a broader BJP strategy to consolidate Hindu support by highlighting cross-border communal issues and positioning themselves as defenders of Hindu interests. His statements have sparked a polarized debate, reflecting the growing intersection of religion and politics in Bengal.
The arrest of Chinmoy Prabhu and reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh continue to draw attention, escalating tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP while also raising questions about the response—or lack thereof—of Bengal’s intellectual and political elite.