Why Did Suvendu Adhikari Criticize Trinamool MP for Offensive Remarks on Gujaratis?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Suvendu Adhikari criticizes Kalyan Banerjee for offensive remarks.
- Importance of maintaining unity among diverse communities.
- Comments viewed as hate speech could incite social discord.
- Historical contributions of Gujaratis to India's freedom highlighted.
- Calls for legal action against inflammatory rhetoric.
Kolkata, July 25 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday, unleashed a fierce critique against the four-term Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee over the latter’s offensive remarks aimed at Gujaratis.
On that day, Adhikari posted a video on his official X account, where Banerjee, who is also a senior advocate at the Calcutta High Court, was heard making derogatory remarks in Bengali about Gujaratis.
These comments were allegedly made during a media interaction on the grounds of Parliament.
However, IANS was unable to verify the authenticity of the video.
In reaction to the video, the Leader of Opposition remarked that Banerjee’s reckless statements, hate speech, and divisive language have no place in a civilised society.
“We won’t spare a single Gujju - is not merely an offensive remark; it represents a threat and a perilous endeavor to fuel animosity against the esteemed Gujarati Community. His disparaging comments about Gujaratis, mocking them as 'Gujjus' who allegedly played no role in India’s Independence Movement, reflect a despicable attack on the dignity of an entire community and a significant misrepresentation of history,” Adhikari stated.
He further reminded Banerjee that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, affectionately known as the Father of the Nation, was a proud Gujarati, as was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India.
“To assert that 'Gujjus weren’t involved in India's Freedom Movement' is an affront to the numerous Gujaratis who sacrificed for our Nation’s freedom. Such belittling comments aimed at tarnishing the Gujarati Community are not only factually incorrect but also a petty tactic to incite discord between Bengalis and Gujaratis,” Adhikari added.
He also announced that he would urge the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, to take note of Banerjee's offensive comments made within Parliament premises.
Adhikari stated that he would also request the Gujarat Chief Minister to take suitable legal actions against Kalyan Banerjee.