Judicial officers hostage in Malda sparks BJP-TMC political war

Seven judicial officers were held hostage in Malda, West Bengal, over electoral roll deletions, sparking a fierce political battle between the BJP and TMC. The BJP blamed Mamata Banerjee for the incident, which has now drawn the attention of the Supreme Court.

A major political storm erupted in West Bengal after seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage by villagers in Malda district on April 1, triggering sharp exchanges between the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The incident, linked to alleged mass deletions from electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, drew strong reactions from BJP leaders, with Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar blaming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the situation and welcoming the Supreme Court's cognisance of the matter.

BJP Blames Mamata, Alleges Breakdown of Law and Order

The BJP termed the Malda incident "shocking" and alleged a breakdown of the law and order situation. Majumdar questioned whether the provocation by Mamata Banerjee's party led to the situation and urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate the matter, including whether those removed from voter lists were Indian citizens.

"The entire nation has been left astonished - and indeed, shocked - by the nature of the incident that unfolded yesterday; it has become evident that law and order effectively cease to exist. Mamata Banerjee is behind this entire episode; it was precisely due to the provocative statements she issued that such an incident occurred. We welcome the cognisance taken by the Supreme Court regarding this matter," Majumdar told reporters.

"The Election Commission should take cognisance of the incident and investigate to find out who was behind it. Did the instigation by Mamata Banerjee's party lead to this incident? It is also a matter of concern whether or not the people whose names were deleted are citizens of India," he added.

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani alleged that "corruption and violence" had become synonymous with the TMC, asserting that a BJP government was necessary to restore order in West Bengal.

"Corruption and violence have become synonymous with TMC. The people of West Bengal have resolved that to build a corruption-free West Bengal, to eliminate the atmosphere of fear, to preserve women's dignity, establishing a BJP government in West Bengal has become imperative," Irani told reporters here.

BJP MP Ravi Kishan linked the incident to broader concerns over security for party workers, claiming that BJP members had previously faced violence in the state.

"I thank the Supreme Court. For the last two elections, whenever I went out campaigning, I was not provided security there either. It was a serious problem. This has been happening to BJP members. Hundreds of BJP workers have been murdered there so far. Didi is losing the election, and the BJP is forming the government," Kishan told reporters.

BJP MP Rekha Sharma also termed the incident "unfortunate", accusing the TMC of politicising institutions and obstructing officials from performing their duties.

"This is an unfortunate incident. You are not even allowing the officials to carry out their work. In Bengal, everything is viewed through the lens of politics, which is why - from the Election Commission to our party - everyone is vigilant. The public will teach TMC a lesson," Sharma told ANI.

At a press conference in Delhi, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia criticised "appeasement politics" of the TMC, stating that neither the Constitution nor institutions like the Election Commission and Supreme Court could be undermined by violence or intimidation.

"Appeasement politics cannot be placed above the Constitution, the law, the Supreme Court, or the Election Commission. Institutions and citizens will not bow down in fear. Questioning or ignoring the Election Commission and the Supreme Court is unfortunate. Violence and stone-pelting are TMC's reputation. Mamata Banerjee may protect them, but no one is above the Constitution and law," he said.

TMC Hits Back, Blames BJP and Election Commission

In response, the TMC pushed back while rejecting the BJP's allegations, with Mamata Banerjee alleging that the BJP plans to "cancel the elections and capture Bengal forcefully".

"You (BJP) have tried to provoke people in many ways. The plan is to cancel the elections. If that happens, nobody will have the right to vote. They will capture Bengal forcefully. ECI has snatched away my powers and has imposed a 'super President's Rule' with the help of the Home Minister and the Governor," Banerjee said.

TMC further accused the BJP and the EC of "playing with fire", blaming them for the recent unrest in the state.

"BJP4India and ECISVEEP are playing with fire, and yesterday's unfortunate incident in Malda is the direct result of their dirty conspiracy. They removed and transferred experienced State Government officials and senior police officers who knew every corner of Bengal like the back of their hand. In their place, they imposed Central officers who have zero understanding of our geography, demography or ground reality," AITC posted on X.

"These outsiders are ill-equipped to handle local situations, and now the BJP is using this isolated incident to malign the entire state and paint Bengal as lawless. This is unpardonable. If anyone is truly at fault, it is AmitShah. For repeatedly failing in his duty to protect the people, for weakening law and order, and for playing politics with Bengal's peace, Amit Shah must tender his resignation immediately. Bengal will not tolerate this vicious conspiracy," the TMC said.

TMC MP Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP and the EC of attempting to control the electoral process and fuel unrest in West Bengal.

"On the name of SIR, the BJP, the Election Commission, whatever it is doing, the Supreme Court is giving the right directions. It is now completely clear that the BJP wants to take full control by keeping the Election Commission in front. This is not just a fight of TMC, this is a fight of the entire Bengal for those whose names they are deleting. Now, whatever unrest is happening, it is sponsored by the BJP. They are deliberately doing this. The BJP is spreading unrest. We are also fighting, but we are fighting legally," Ghosh said while addressing a press conference today.

Supreme Court Takes Cognisance, Demands Action

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today described the Malda incident as a brazen and deliberate attempt to obstruct the administration of justice. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed concern that, despite prior intimation, the State authorities failed to provide prompt protection, leaving the officers without food or water for hours.

The court issued show-cause notices to senior State officials, including the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Director-General of Police, asking them to explain their inaction. It directed the Election Commission to requisition and deploy adequate central forces to ensure the safety of judicial officers and the smooth conduct of the SIR adjudication process. The bench also mandated strict security measures at all venues, restricted public entry, ordered an immediate assessment of threat perceptions to the officers and their families, and required compliance reports. It asked senior officials to be present virtually at the next hearing.

West Bengal Election Schedule

The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. In the last assembly election in the state, held in eight phases in 2021, the TMC recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)