The political landscape has been significantly altered by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra’s recent comments, which have sparked a major controversy. While addressing the issue of illegal infiltration on India’s eastern border, she made a highly provocative statement directed at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, leading to a chorus of criticism. Moitra’s statement, that Amit Shah’s “head should be chopped off and put on the table,” has caused a major uproar in political circles.
Expressing her concern over the alleged infiltration from Bangladesh, Mahua Moitra strongly criticized the border security policies of the central government at a public event. She was quoted saying, “I am asking if there is no one to protect our borders and people from other nations are entering India in lakhs and crores…If they are eyeing our mothers and sisters…If they are taking over our land…At first, Amit Shah’s head must be chopped off and put on the table.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and numerous other political parties immediately and vehemently condemned her remarks. BJP leaders described it as a statement of a violent, unconstitutional, and criminal nature against a minister. Many leaders labeled the statement as “unparliamentary,” “dangerous,” and an “insult to the dignity of public representation.”
Moitra’s comments were made in relation to the alleged illegal infiltration from Bangladesh and the challenges to population and security it poses in border areas like West Bengal. She attributed the entire situation to the central government and its functioning, calling it a “security failure.”
She further stated, “The Home Ministry and the Home Minister who cannot protect the borders of this country…The Prime Minister is himself saying that people from outside are coming here and preying on our mothers and sisters.”
This controversy arises at a time when the central government is engaged in ‘Operation Pushback’, the process of identifying and expelling Rohingya and illegal Bangladeshi citizens residing in the country.
However, Mahua Moitra asserts that despite these endeavors, illegal infiltration remains a serious issue. She alleges that despite the presence of agencies at the borders, the local populace is not gaining any security advantages.
She also stated, “BSF is here. What is BSF doing? We (natives) remain fearful of the BSF. We do not see anyone infiltrating here.”
The BSF, which falls under the Union Home Ministry, has not yet issued an official response on the matter. However, some officials associated with the ministry have characterized these comments as “motivated by political interest” and “far from ground reality.” The BJP is preparing to raise the issue in Parliament and is contemplating the possibility of filing a complaint under various sections of the IPC for threatening the Home Minister and inciting violence. According to sources associated with the Home Ministry, Moitra’s remarks represent a “direct violation of democratic values and national interests.”
Although the TMC leadership has not yet provided an official response, party insiders have expressed some discomfort with Mahua Moitra’s strong language, despite her consistent criticism of the BJP’s policies. This latest controversy strengthens Mahua Moitra’s public image as a vocal and outspoken leader, one who does not hesitate to cross the boundaries of political decorum. The possibility of legal action against her or a censure motion in Parliament following her statement cannot be ruled out.