FIR registered against Mamata Banerjee over alleged communal remarks before Bengal polls

The case stems from a complaint filed by a Kolkata resident, who alleged that remarks made by Banerjee during a public rally in March 2026 had the potential to create communal tensions and disturb public harmony.

Complaint leads to FIR

According to police sources, the complaint was initially submitted at Hare Street Police Station and has now been formally converted into an FIR.

"An FIR has been registered against Mamata Banerjee under sections 196(1), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)," a senior official of Kolkata Police told IBNS.

The complainant, identified as Kolkata resident Tushar Kanti Das, alleged that statements made by the TMC leader during a political gathering could encourage communal discord and create unrest among different sections of society.

The complaint, originally submitted at Netaji Nagar Police Station in South Kolkata on May 20, claimed that Banerjee's remarks were capable of generating fear, misunderstanding and tension among communities across West Bengal.

Allegations linked to election speech

According to the complaint, Banerjee was addressing a public meeting during the run-up to the Assembly election campaign when she cautioned voters against what she described as the Bharatiya Janata Party's "misleading publicity."

The complainant alleged that, during the speech, Banerjee suggested that if voting patterns changed and a particular community acted collectively, it could lead to adverse consequences for others.

Das argued that the statement was vague in nature and could be interpreted as creating apprehension and insecurity among citizens.

The complaint further alleged that the remarks had the potential to disturb communal harmony and influence public sentiment during an election period.

Complainant seeks legal action

In his filing, Das requested legal action against the TMC chief, contending that the remarks were inflammatory and capable of provoking social tensions.

He maintained that political leaders should exercise caution while addressing public gatherings, particularly during election campaigns, when statements can have a wider impact on public order.

The FIR has been registered, and the matter is now under investigation.

Another complaint filed last month

The latest case comes months after another complaint was filed against Mamata Banerjee last month over allegations of hurting religious sentiments.

That complaint was filed at Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station by advocate Rinki Chattopadhyay Singh.

According to Singh, police initially declined to register the complaint and accepted it only after repeated follow-ups.

The complaint referred to two separate statements allegedly made by Banerjee—one during a religious event in 2025 and another during a protest rally at Dharmatala ahead of the Assembly elections.

Singh alleged that the remarks had hurt the sentiments of "millions of Sanatani Hindus across India and the world."

Previous complaint cited alleged intimidation

The earlier complaint also alleged that during the 2026 Assembly election campaign, Banerjee made a statement suggesting that if a particular community attacked Hindus, "ek second-e debe barota bajiye"—a Bengali expression commonly interpreted as a warning of severe consequences.

"We exist, that is why all of you are safe. If we were not here, when a certain community comes together as a group and surrounds you, they would finish you off in one second," Banerjee said in a public rally at Esplanade.

Advocate Singh argued that the remarks were intended to "influence voters through fear and intimidation" and could contribute to "social unrest and communal disharmony."

Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 351(1) relating to criminal intimidation and Section 352 concerning intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace.

Investigation underway

With the latest FIR now registered, investigators are expected to examine the contents of the speech, the complaint filed by the Kolkata resident and other related material as part of the inquiry.

Neither Banerjee nor the Trinamool Congress had issued an official response to the latest FIR at the time of publication.