FIR Filed Against Mamata Banerjee Over Alleged ‘Ganda Dharma’ Remark

An FIR has been registered against former Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged remarks about Sanatan Dharma made during an Eid celebration in Kolkata last year. The complaint was filed at the Siliguri Cyber Police Station by advocate Rinki Chatterjee Singh, who accused the Trinamool Congress chief of hurting religious sentiments and promoting communal disharmony.

According to the complaint, Banerjee allegedly referred to Sanatan Dharma as “ganda dharma” or “dirty religion” during her speech. The complainant argued that the remark “deeply hurt the religious sentiments and beliefs of millions of followers.”

The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to criminal intimidation, intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace, and promoting enmity between religious groups.

What allegations have been made in the complaint?

The complaint alleges that Banerjee’s statements went beyond religious commentary and entered the realm of communal provocation during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign.

Advocate Singh claimed that Banerjee had also made a controversial statement suggesting that if a particular community attacked Hindus, “their 12 ta beje jabe,” a Bengali colloquial phrase implying severe consequences.

According to the complaint, such remarks were intended to “influence voters through fear and intimidation” and encourage “social unrest and communal disharmony.”

Police invoked Section 351(1) of the BNS for criminal intimidation, Section 352 for intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace, and Section 353(2), which deals with circulating information aimed at promoting hatred or enmity between religious communities.

Why did the issue become politically significant?

The controversy intensified earlier this year when senior BJP leader and now CM Suvendu Adhikari publicly attacked Banerjee over the alleged remarks.

In a post on X, Adhikari accused the former West Bengal Chief Minister of insulting Hindu religious sentiments while attempting to appease the Muslim community during an Eid-ul-Fitr event held at Red Road in Kolkata.

“Which religion were you specifically referring to? Sanatan Hindu Dharma?” Adhikari wrote while questioning Banerjee’s use of the phrase “Ganda Dharm.”

He further alleged that Banerjee’s speech focused more on communal rhetoric than the religious occasion itself.

What exactly did Suvendu Adhikari say?

In his post on X, Adhikari wrote: “Hum 'Ganda Dharm' ko nahi manta hai". - Mamata Banerjee Kaun sa Dharm ganda hai Ms. Mamata Banerjee? Appeasing the Muslim Community at the Red Road with your almost incomprehensible gibberish Urdu dialect, you made a statement that you don't follow the 'Ganda Dharm' or 'Dirty Religion'. Which religion were you specifically referring to? Sanatan Hindu Dharma? What kind of provocative speech did you deliver at the Red Road on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr? You uttered the words 'Danga' & Riots more than you repeated the word Eid. Was it a religious event or a political programme? Why were you deliberately mongering hate with the deliberate intention of creating animosity between communities? Ms. Mamata Banerjee, you are the one who weaponizes religion. It will boomerang on you very soon.”

What could happen next?

The registration of the FIR means police can now formally investigate the allegations and examine the context of the remarks, including video footage, transcripts, and witness accounts.

The controversy is likely to further intensify political tensions in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections, with the BJP and TMC expected to continue trading accusations over communal rhetoric and religious appeasement.

(With inputs from ANI)