Introduction
The political landscape of West Bengal has been rocked by a controversy involving Humayun Kabir, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA representing the Bharatpur assembly constituency in Murshidabad district. During an election rally, Kabir made provocative remarks directed at the Hindu minority in the Muslim-majority region, threatening to "drown Hindus in the Bhagirathi River within two hours" if he did not retire from active politics. His comments have drawn widespread condemnation, reigniting debates on minority rights, political accountability, and the preservation of communal harmony.
TMC MLA Humayun Kabir (India TV)
The Incendiary Remarks
While campaigning for the TMC's Baharampur candidate, Yusuf Pathan, in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Humayun Kabir allegedly issued a threat to the Hindu community, stating, "I will leave politics if I don't drown you people (referring to Hindus) in the Bhagirathi River within two hours." His comments were directed at the 30% Hindu minority population in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district.
Kabir's inflammatory remarks did not stop there. He went on to warn the BJP, saying, "You are 30 per cent people, we are also 70 per cent here, if you think that you will demolish the mosque of Kazipara and the rest of the Muslims will sit back and relax. Then, I want to tell the BJP that this will never happen." He further added, "For the Kazipara Masjid which has been attacked, I won't let the Muslim brothers sit idle with their hands folded. I am warning the BJP."
Reactions from Political Parties
Kabir's inflammatory statements drew swift condemnation from various political parties and leaders. BJP's IT cell head, Amit Malviya, shared a video of Kabir's remarks, alleging that "appeasement politics" in West Bengal had "touched a new low." Malviya questioned Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, asking if she would dare to expel Kabir from the party and challenging the intellectuals who routinely spread "venom against the Hindus" to speak up.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee during a rally in Bardhaman-Durgapur. He expressed concern over the treatment of Hindus as "second-class citizens" in Bengal and criticized Kabir's remarks, saying,
"What kind of language is this? What is happening with Hindus in Bengal? It seems Hindus are being treated as second-class citizens in Bengal." Modi further questioned, "What kind of people are these that they even object to the slogan Jai Shri Ram? They have an objection to the construction of Ram temple and to the Ramnavami procession."
Kabir's Past Controversies
Humayun Kabir is no stranger to controversy. Earlier, he opposed the candidacy of former cricketer Yusuf Pathan from the Baharampur Lok Sabha seat, calling him an "outsider." Kabir threatened to contest the election as an independent candidate if the party did not change the candidate, stating that someone from another state cannot defeat Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
TMC leader Humayun Kabir (Photo Credits: Anandabazar Patrika)
In the previous year, Kabir stirred up controversy by insisting that "Muslim leaders" take control of the Murshidabad party committee, citing the district's 70% Muslim population. He warned the party high command that the community would turn against the TMC if their demands were not met, saying, "In 2021, 90 out of every 100 Muslims voted for the Trinamool Congress. This is why the party has 20 legislators from the district. On the other hand, Hindus voted en masse for the BJP and made the saffron party strong. It cannot happen that those who gave power to Mamata Banerjee will now tolerate betrayal from her and we are expected not to speak a word about it. I will not tolerate this." Kabir also demanded the removal of Shaoni Sinha Roy, insisting she be replaced with a "competent Muslim leader."
Furthermore, in July 2021, Kabir threatened his fellow party legislator, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, with physical harm during a party gathering in Shaktipur, warning him to treat TMC workers respectfully or face a permanent ban from entering the area. The animosity between the two stemmed from Chowdhury's electoral victories over Kabir in 2012 and 2016.
Concerns Over Minority Security
Kabir's remarks have reignited concerns over the security and well-being of minority communities in West Bengal. While the state has a rich history of communal harmony, such provocative statements from political leaders have the potential to sow seeds of discord and disrupt the social fabric.
Critics argue that political parties should refrain from making inflammatory remarks and instead focus on promoting unity, tolerance, and respect for all communities. The role of political leaders in upholding the principles of secularism and fostering an inclusive society cannot be overstated.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Humayun Kabir's remarks has once again brought to the fore the need for responsible and measured rhetoric from political leaders, particularly in regions with diverse demographic compositions. While the right to freedom of expression is essential in a democracy, it should be exercised responsibly, without infringing upon the rights and dignity of others.
As the nation grapples with this controversy, it is imperative that political parties, civil society organizations, and citizens collectively work towards promoting communal harmony, addressing genuine grievances through peaceful means, and upholding the principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Constitution. Only through concerted efforts can the nation progress towards a more inclusive and tolerant society, where all communities can coexist peacefully and contribute to the nation's development.
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