Mamata Banerjee suggests Sandeshkhali cannot be compared to land movements in Singur or Nandigram

Kolkata, Feb 28 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indirectly addressed the ongoing political debate over replicating the Nandigram model at Sandeshkhali. Banerjee stated that the situations in Singur, Nandigram, and Sandeshkhali are different and cannot be compared.

Banerjee’s comments come as Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district experiences turmoil due to protests against alleged sexual harassment and violence by local Trinamool Congress leaders. Trinamool had previously led movements against land acquisition in Singur and Nandigram, leading to the scrapping of projects by Tata Motors Limited and the Indonesia-based Salim Group.

In Sandeshkhali, apart from accusations of sexual harassment, local Trinamool leaders are accused of illegally grabbing farmland and converting them into pisciculture farms. Banerjee accused the BJP of spreading false propaganda to create tension in the state before elections, emphasizing her stance against violence and injustice.

Banerjee also criticized the Union government’s push for a Uniform Civil Code, arguing that every religion, including tribal populations, has its own code for marriage. She accused the BJP of trying to dictate everything through the imposition of a Uniform Civil Code, alleging interference in religious practices and traditions.

The Chief Minister’s statements highlight the escalating tensions in Sandeshkhali and the broader political landscape in West Bengal ahead of upcoming elections. The contrasting views on land movements and civil codes underscore the deep-rooted ideological differences between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP in the state.