CM Mamata Banerjee calls it “political vendetta” and “misuse of the Army”
New Delhi, 1,September 2025
A major political row has erupted in Kolkata after the Army dismantled a stage set up by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Maidan area, which was being used for protests against the alleged harassment of Bengali migrants. The Army clarified that the Maidan falls under its authority, with the Eastern Command headquarters located at Fort William nearby. According to the Eastern Command, permission had been granted for two days as per Supreme Court guidelines, but the stage had remained in place for nearly a month despite repeated reminders to the organisers to remove it. After no action was taken, the Army, in coordination with Kolkata Police, began dismantling the structure.
Reacting strongly, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP-led Centre of “political vendetta” and “misuse of the Army” to silence opposition voices. While stating that the Army itself was not at fault, she alleged that it was acting under the Centre’s directions in a “dirty political game.” Banerjee further declared that protests would continue, warning the ruling party that “atrocities against Bengalis” would be met with daily demonstrations. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh echoed her allegations, saying the BJP had deployed central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate and CBI earlier, and was now using the Army to suppress TMC’s protests.
On the other hand, the BJP welcomed the Army’s action, claiming that TMC had held its protest without proper permission. A senior BJP leader argued that while their party had often been denied protest permissions, the TMC was allowed to flout rules, and hence the Army’s intervention was justified. The episode has further intensified the ongoing political clash between the ruling TMC in West Bengal and the BJP at the Centre.
