TMC may go to Supreme Court against SIR, says Mamata

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday indicated that the Trinamool Congress may approach the Supreme Court against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), saying she is taking legal advice on the issue. Speaking at a public programme in Gangasagar, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Centre, the Election Commission and the BJP, alleging a deliberate attempt to insult Bengal. “Write it down—Bengal will not bend,” she said, asserting that the state would never bow down.

Placing the issue within the larger frame of Bengal’s identity, the chief minister said the state’s culture, language and democratic rights were under threat. She accused her political opponents of disrespecting Bengal’s cultural consciousness and questioned comments made on its literary traditions. Without naming individuals, Banerjee said those commenting on Bengal’s culture should first understand its history and soul.

Targeting the BJP directly, Banerjee alleged that the party’s politics was aimed at harming Bengal rather than promoting development or public welfare. She claimed that fear was being created by focusing on deletion of names instead of governance. According to her, this approach amounted to systematically weakening the state and its people.

The chief minister also raised concerns related to border issues, saying people who cross borders for livelihood, including fishermen, often face detention. She said her government works for their release, while accusing the BJP of concentrating only on voter list-related actions. Banerjee further alleged that Bengali identity, language and heritage were being repeatedly insulted.

On SIR, Banerjee expressed serious concern over the process, calling it inhuman and shameful. She said elderly and ill people were being asked to attend hearings even while carrying oxygen cylinders. Questioning the insistence on documents, she asked how everyone could have birth certificates when many were born at home in earlier times. Concluding her address, she said Bengal’s people were united to protect democracy and warned that the state could not be intimidated.