Not Beti Bachao but Beti Jalao is BJP’s policy, says Mamata Banerjee over Manipur violence

Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister sharpened her attack on BJP over the ongoing turmoil in Manipur, days after a viral video of two women exposed the horror women in the violence state has been enduring. While addressing a gathering at TMC's annual Martyr's Day rally, Banerjee extended her support to the “mothers and the sisters” of Manipur and thundered that “women of this country will oust BJP govt from Centre” come 2024.

Taking a jibe at PM Modi’s ‘Beti Bachao’ clarion call, Bengal CM accused BJP of looting the dignity and modesty of women. “BJP’s Beti Bachao has now turned into Beti Jalao. Today, Manipur is burning, all of India is burning. We will not leave Manipur. Bengal will not leave Manipur’s side. Northeastern sisters are our sisters too. In the Bilkis Bano case, the accused were released on bail. In the wrestlers case too, the accused was released on bail. The videos from Manipur is a shame as how our daughters, tribal women and dalits are treated in the country”, said she.

 Questioning the PM over his silence for over 2 months, she claimed that people of India will suffer more and there will be no democracy left if BJP comes back to power. “I want to ask Prime Minister Modi, did the incident in Manipur not hurt you? You point fingers at Bengal, at other states, but, do you not have love for the mothers and the sisters of this country? Till when the dalits, minorities, and the people of this country will be killed?” she added while calling the BJP ‘Maut ke Saudagar’ (Traders in killing).

BJP was quick to react, leaders from Bengal held a press conference in Delhi where BJP MP Locket Chatterjee broke down while talking about incidents that they allege are equally horrifying and in violations of human rights in Bengal, meted out to BJP workers. “We are also women. We also want our daughters to be saved; we are also India’s daughters. Where will our daughters go for justice?” Chatterjee said.  Interestingly BJP leaders including their IT cell chief Amit Malvia shared an incident alleging that similar to what happened in Manipur, a BJP woman worker was allegedly paraded naked and tortured by TMC workers during the recently concluded panchayat elections in the state, a claim that has been refuted and dismissed by police officially, calling it fake.

Mamata Banerjee concluded her speech by observing a minute’s silence for the women and other victims of violence in Manipur and stressed that she along with other Chief Ministers including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal could visit the trouble state soon.