A legal case has been registered against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly making derogatory comments regarding the Hindu religion. The formal complaint was filed on May 26 at the Siliguri Cyber Crime Police Station by an advocate named Rinky Chatterjee Singh. Local authorities have confirmed that the case is now being processed under various sections of the Indian Nyaya Sanhita.The complaint alleges that the former CM`s statements were intended to incite religious discord.
According to reports from NDTV, the charges include sections 351, 352, 353, and 299 of the Indian Nyaya Sanhita, which cover criminal intimidation, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace, circulation of false or misleading statements, and malicious acts to insult religious beliefs. The complainant claims that Banerjee made these remarks during her tenure as Chief Minister. Specific incidents cited include a speech delivered during the 2025 Eid celebrations and another statement made at a protest venue in Dharmatala prior to the state assembly elections.
In an interview with the news agency ANI, advocate Chatterjee Singh stated that during a public event in Red Road, Banerjee purportedly referred to the Hindu faith using offensive terminology. The complaint alleges that the former CM used the term "ganda dharm" (dirty religion) while addressing political opponents. Furthermore, the petition highlights comments allegedly made by Banerjee near Dharmatala, where she purportedly issued warnings to Hindu voters concerning potential communal disturbances in the region.
The petitioner also expressed dissatisfaction with the initial police response, alleging that the authorities were reluctant to file an FIR. After pursuing legal channels, the complaint was eventually registered. The advocate emphasized that freedom of speech should not extend to inciting violence or insulting religious sentiments. Senior officials at the Siliguri police station confirmed that the complaint has been accepted and that an investigation is currently underway.
Officials noted that the police are now collecting audio and video evidence from the referenced public meetings to assess the allegations objectively. The development has triggered significant political and legal discourse across the region. As the investigation progresses, the Siliguri Cyber Crime branch is expected to examine the veracity of the claims based on documented evidence.
