West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Central Government, accusing them of insulting national icons and distorting India’s history. Speaking at a public event in Kolkata’s Maidan to mark Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary, she alleged a systematic attempt to undermine the country’s cultural and historical legacy.

Banerjee claimed that revered figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar were being disrespected through intolerance and misrepresentation. Questioning whether Bengal would accept such treatment, she accused those in power at the Centre of showing ingratitude toward the nation’s freedom fighters and intellectual leaders.

Invoking Netaji’s iconic “Dilli Chalo” call, the Chief Minister alleged that “Delhi,” a reference to the Central Government, was conspiring against Bengal. She described the national capital as a “city of conspiracies” and urged unity among Bengalis to protect the state’s culture, language, and heritage.

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Banerjee also criticised the Centre for not declaring Netaji’s birth anniversary a national holiday, arguing that this reflected disregard for his contribution to India’s independence. She accused the BJP of imposing its own version of history, humiliating the Constitution, curtailing democratic rights, and betraying the dreams of freedom fighters.

Taking aim at the Election Commission, Banerjee raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. She alleged that even Netaji would have been asked to prove his citizenship under the process and claimed that over 110 people died during the revision exercise, holding the Centre and the poll body responsible.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister renewed her demand for the immediate declassification of all Central Government files related to Netaji’s disappearance. Reminding that her government had already released state archives, Banerjee said uncovering the truth about Netaji’s fate remains a matter of national importance and collective sorrow.

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