‘When Bangladesh is going through a difficult transition, responsible leaders should promote peace and dialogue. Instead, Suvendu is trying to internationalise the issue for cheap publicity,’ says senior Trinamool leader Firhad Hakim
KOLKATA — The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has launched a blistering attack on Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, accusing him of delivering “naked hate speech” in his recent remarks targeting Bangladesh and its interim government over attacks on minorities.
Highlighting Adhikari’s remarks in front of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission on Friday, the TMC said on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had indulged in “hate speech”, and called for “mass murder” and “ethnic cleansing”.
TMC leaders alleged that Adhikari’s statements were deliberately provocative, communal in nature, and aimed at inciting unrest in Bengal.
In his speech, the BJP leader was heard saying: “The way Israel taught a lesson in Gaza, the government of the country which is run in the interest of 100 crore Hindus should also teach a lesson [to Bangladesh] like Operation Sindoor.”
Addressing a press conference here, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, said: “Suvendu Adhikari’s language was not that of a responsible opposition leader but of someone spreading naked hate speech. By making sweeping, unverified accusations against an entire country and its people, he is trying to vitiate the atmosphere in Bengal and damage India’s standing in the neighbourhood. This is not patriotism — this is politics of poison.”
The TMC specifically criticised Adhikari’s use of terms like “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” while referring to incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, claiming he exaggerated and generalised without evidence, thereby fanning communal flames in a state with a significant Muslim population. The party also accused him of selectively ignoring similar incidents in India to score political points.
Senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim added: “When Bangladesh is going through a difficult transition, responsible leaders should promote peace and dialogue. Instead, Suvendu is trying to internationalise the issue for cheap publicity. His words are dangerous and irresponsible.”
The TMC demanded that the BJP leadership rein in Adhikari and issue an apology for what it called “hate speech against a neighbouring country.” The party also urged the Centre to take note of the remarks and ensure they do not harm bilateral ties.
BJP leaders defended Adhikari, calling the TMC’s criticism “hypocritical” and an attempt to shield the Bangladesh interim government. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said: “When Hindus are being targeted in Bangladesh, raising voice is the duty of every Indian. TMC is silent on minority safety there but quick to label our leaders as hate-mongers. This exposes their double standards.”
Separately, the ruling party said on social media: “@BJP4India has perfected HATE and INTOLERANCE into an art form. Their venomous loudmouth, @SuvenduWB, just bared his fascist fangs again, spewing genocidal bile by proclaiming that India must teach Muslims a lesson like Israel taught Gaza.”
The controversy has intensified political polarisation in West Bengal, with both sides trading accusations ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. — With inputs from Agencies
