West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed that a man from Khardaha in North 24 Parganas died by suicide allegedly due to panic over the National Register of Citizens (NRC), triggering a new round of political controversy in the state.
In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that 57-year-old Pradeep Kar, a resident of Mahajyoti Nagar in Panihati (Ward No. 9), had taken his own life after leaving behind a note that blamed the NRC for his death.
“57-year-old Pradeep Kar from 4 Mahajyoti Nagar, Panihati, Khardaha (Ward No. 9) has taken his own life, leaving behind a note that says, ‘NRC is responsible for my death.’ What greater indictment can there be of the BJP’s politics of fear and division?” Mamata wrote.
Her post came a day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists across 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal. The process began on Tuesday.
The announcement has sparked allegations from sections of the opposition and civil society groups that the central government may be attempting to introduce the NRC “through the backdoor” via the SIR process — an allegation the Centre has not commented on officially.
In her post, the Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading fear and insecurity among citizens.
“It shakes me to the very core to imagine how, for years, BJP has tormented innocent citizens with the threat of NRC, spreading lies, stoking panic and weaponising insecurity for votes,” she wrote. “They have turned constitutional democracy into a draconian law-regime, where people are made to doubt their own right to exist.”
Mamata went on to describe the incident as the “direct consequence of BJP’s venomous propaganda”, stating that ordinary Indians were being driven to despair by fears of being labelled as foreigners in their own country.
“I demand that the Central Government stop this heartless game once and for all,” she added. “Bengal will never allow NRC, and never allow anyone to strip our people of their dignity or belonging. Our soil belongs to Maa, Mati, Manush — not to those who thrive on hate. Let the Delhi Zamindars hear this loud and clear: Bengal will resist, Bengal will protect, and Bengal will prevail.”
The post has intensified the political war of words between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, particularly in the wake of the voter list revision exercise.
Meanwhile, officials have not yet confirmed the authenticity of the alleged suicide note. Police sources said an investigation into the incident is underway.
Also read: Mamata tightens safety rules in state hospitals
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