FIR against former Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee over 2025 'Ganda dharma' remark

The complaint alleged that Mamata Banerjee’s remarks insulted the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma and promoted communal disharmony.

An FIR was registered on Tuesday against TMC Chief and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her alleged derogatory remarks about Sanatan Dharma made during an Eid celebration in Kolkata last year.

The complaint, filed by advocate Rinki Chatterjee Singh at the Siliguri Cyber Police Station, alleged that Banerjee’s remarks hurt the sentiments of followers of Sanatan Dharma and encouraged communal disharmony.

In her complaint, Singh alleged that the TMC supremo referred to Sanatan Dharma as "ganda dharma" (dirty religion), which "deeply hurt the religious sentiments and beliefs of millions of followers."

The complaint further alleged that during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign, Mamata Banerjee allegedly made a provocative remark, suggesting that if a particular community attacked Hindus, “their 12 ta beje jabe” (a Bengali colloquial expression implying severe consequences).

In her complaint, advocate Singh contended that such remarks were aimed at “influencing voters through fear and intimidation” and promote “social unrest and communal disharmony.”

Upon the complaint, police have registered the First Information Report (FIR) under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), India's new criminal code. 
 The charges against Mamata Banerjee include Section 351(1) for criminal intimidation and Section 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace.

Authorities also invoked Section 353(2), which penalises the circulation of information intended to promote hatred or enmity between different religious groups.

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Earlier in March, senior BJP leader and the then Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, criticised Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of insulting religious sentiments and “weaponising” communal rhetoric during a recent public address.

In a post on X, Adhikari questioned the Chief Minister Banerjee's alleged use of the phrase “Ganda Dharm” (dirty religion) during an event organised at Red Road on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"Which religion were you specifically referring to? Sanatan Hindu Dharma?" Adhikari asked in his post, accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson of using "incomprehensible gibberish Urdu dialect" to appease the Muslim community while denigrating another faith.

The BJP leader then alleged that the Mamata Banerjee's speech was more political than religious in nature, claiming that she mentioned "Danga" (riots) more frequently than the festival itself.

"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," the post read.

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With ANI inputs...