Kolkata, Dec 20 (NationPress) The BJP has vocally criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for filing a complaint against Amit Malviya, the party's IT Cell chief, which has escalated into an FIR. They assert that voicing concerns regarding the situation in Bangladesh is not a criminal act.

In an interview with IANS, BJP spokesperson Shatorupa stated that Malviya's comments merely reflected worries about the worsening circumstances in Bangladesh, which she claimed have also alarmed individuals in West Bengal.

“We are profoundly troubled by the events occurring in Bangladesh. The murder of a Hindu youth, whose body was tied to a tree and set ablaze, is understandably frightening for Hindus in Bengal. Furthermore, TMC leaders like Humayun Kabir have made inflammatory remarks, including suggestions about building a Babri Masjid in the state. There is a rise in fundamentalist sentiments in Bengal. Amit Malviya simply highlighted this concern, yet the Trinamool Congress is attempting to misinterpret it. We categorically denounce the FIR against our leader,” she remarked.

The FIR was filed based on a complaint by TMC member Tanmoy Ghosh at the Narendrapur police station in the Baruipur police district. Ghosh claimed that Malviya's social media post jeopardized communal harmony and undermined the integrity of both the nation and West Bengal.

Additionally, Ghosh accused Malviya of trying to exploit the unrest in Bangladesh for political gain in Bengal, asserting that his post belittled the state, incited communal tensions, and threatened national unity. He called for the strictest legal action against the BJP leader.

There was no immediate response from Malviya following the FIR's registration.

However, TMC spokesperson and state secretary Kunal Ghosh stated, "We do not endorse any inflammatory remarks that could provoke communal discord. Thus, we have lodged a complaint against the BJP leader."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has experienced renewed unrest following the death of Inqilab platform leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Protests and mourning ceremonies erupted across Dhaka, Chittagong, and other areas on Thursday night, with students from numerous universities participating in demonstrations. Sit-in protests at Shahbagh and other locations escalated into violent confrontations.

During the turmoil, offices of prominent Bangladeshi newspapers like Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were assaulted, with reports indicating that the latter was set ablaze. The cultural institution Chhayanaut in Dhaka also suffered vandalism. A Hindu youth was brutally killed, with his body later hung from a tree and ignited.

Sharing footage of these events on X, Malviya cautioned that the growth of fundamentalism in Bangladesh could have repercussions for West Bengal.

“Last night, Islamist mobs attacked Chhayanaut Bhavan, a pivotal institution in Bengali arts and culture located in Dhaka. The trend developing in Bangladesh is clear—attacks on media organizations, journalists, and cultural establishments under Islamist pressure and intimidation. This serves as a warning,” Malviya posted.

He further expressed that prolonged political favoritism, institutional decay, and selective silence could lead West Bengal down a “dangerous path,” warning that if the current regime persists beyond 2026, the repercussions for the state would be “irreversible.”

In a sharp response, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh labeled Malviya’s post as “dangerous” and provocative.

“Equating Bangladesh with West Bengal is not just an affront to our state but also a blatant provocation. The police must swiftly take action against him and initiate the necessary legal proceedings,” Ghosh remarked on X.

Nonetheless, Ghosh acknowledged the serious situation in Bangladesh, indicating that the TMC was refraining from in-depth comments due to its international implications.

“Our leadership is diligently monitoring developments in the national interest. We support the stance of the Government of India. The safety of minorities, Indians, and journalists in Bangladesh must be ensured. The Central government should take appropriate measures and issue a statement,” he concluded.