Mamata Banerjee
Chief Minister of West Bengal 
India
Mamata Banerjee Criticizes SIR Process, Warns Against Targeted Voter Deletions in Bengal
What she said
Why it matters
- Mamata Banerjee said she will not tolerate the deletion of voters belonging to any particular community during the SIR process in West Bengal
- She alleged that the timing and conduct of the revision—amid festival season and recent floods—are suspect and that legitimate voters, especially from vulnerable communities, could be unfairly excluded.
- She raised concerns that the process is being used as a “back-door” route for a National Register of Citizens-like outcome in Bengal, targeting certain sections of society.
Why it matters
- The SIR is meant to update and clean electoral rolls, but the allegation is that it could be misused to disenfranchise specific communities, which would raise serious questions about fairness and inclusivity in the electoral process.
- West Bengal is politically highly significant (with assembly elections approaching), and voter list revision controversies can influence electoral dynamics and trust in the process.
- Timing is a big part of Mamata’s critique: floods in parts of the state and major festivals mean many citizens may face difficulties in submitting required documentation. She argues the process should be inclusive and sensitive to ground realities.
'Girls should not be allowed to go outside of college at night': Mamata Banerjee on Durgapur gang-rape
After the shocking gang-rape of a second-year student in Durgapur, Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident and insisted that private colleges must take stronger security measures — including restricting late-night outings of female students. She also pointed out that similar crimes in other states warrant the same strict response.
West Bengal SSC Scam: Calcutta High Court Bars Mamata Banerjee Govt from Providing Aid to Non-Teaching Job Aspirants
The Calcutta High Court has barred the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government from granting financial assistance to non-teaching job aspirants linked to the SSC recruitment scam, intensifying the ongoing controversy around the alleged irregularities in school service appointments.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee caused a political controversy during an Eid celebration by referring to a "ganda dharam".
In March 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee caused a political controversy during an Eid celebration by referring to a "ganda dharam," or "dirty religion," created by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This comment drew accusations from the BJP that she was insulting Hinduism.
Allegations of Pre-Planned Violence against Hindus
In April 2024, Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the violence during Ram Navami celebrations in Murshidabad. She described the incident as "pre-planned," alleging that the BJP aimed to create communal unrest ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The clashes resulted in injuries to several individuals and damage to property.
West Bengal cow smuggling scam (2022)
The illegal cattle smuggling racket was active primarily in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Kerala, with the main objective of smuggling thousands of cattle to Bangladesh through the state's border. The case first gained attention when JD Mathew, a BSF commander in Bengal, was arrested from Kerala in 2018. In September 2021, the CBI registered an FIR against six individuals, including Satish Kumar, a BSF commandant in the South Bengal region, and Enamul Haque, the alleged kingpin of the operation. The investigation revealed that between 2015 and 2017, over 20,000 cattle heads had been seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) as they were being smuggled across the border.
Anubrata Mondal's involvement surfaced during the investigation. In June 2022, his security personnel, Saigal Hossain, was arrested after interrogation. Following this, Mondal was summoned for questioning in May 2022 but allegedly did not cooperate. Consequently, the CBI arrested Mondal on August 11, 2022, accusing him of non-cooperation in the investigation. The agency also raided 13 locations, including the residences of his close aides, Karim Khan and Ziaul Haque, in Birbhum district.
Subsequently, the CBI filed a charge sheet in October 2022, bringing charges against Mondal under Section 420 (Cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and several sections of The Prevention of Corruption Act. In November 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took custody of Mondal from the CBI. Despite multiple bail applications, Mondal's pleas were denied, and he was moved to Tihar Jail in Delhi in April 2023.
Anubrata Mondal's involvement surfaced during the investigation. In June 2022, his security personnel, Saigal Hossain, was arrested after interrogation. Following this, Mondal was summoned for questioning in May 2022 but allegedly did not cooperate. Consequently, the CBI arrested Mondal on August 11, 2022, accusing him of non-cooperation in the investigation. The agency also raided 13 locations, including the residences of his close aides, Karim Khan and Ziaul Haque, in Birbhum district.
Subsequently, the CBI filed a charge sheet in October 2022, bringing charges against Mondal under Section 420 (Cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and several sections of The Prevention of Corruption Act. In November 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took custody of Mondal from the CBI. Despite multiple bail applications, Mondal's pleas were denied, and he was moved to Tihar Jail in Delhi in April 2023.
West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Limits Durga Visarjan on Muharram Despite High Court Order
Mamata Banerjee’s government faced criticism after restricting Durga idol immersion on Muharram, even as the Calcutta High Court permitted it. The move reignited debate over religious balance and state decisions in West Bengal.
Narada sting operation (2016)
In 2014, journalist Mathew Samuel conducted a secret sting operation posing as a representative of a fictitious company named Impex Consultancy.
He approached several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders with offers of bribes in exchange for promised favors, such as helping his “company” get business contracts in West Bengal.
The operation remained secret for almost two years before being made public in March 2016, just before the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The sting allegedly showed senior TMC leaders accepting bundles of cash.
Sovan Chatterjee – Then Kolkata Mayor
Subrata Mukherjee – Minister (later passed away in 2021)
Firhad Hakim – Minister
Suhasish Chakraborty – MLA
Sougata Roy – MP
Aparupa Poddar (Afrin Ali) – MP
Prasun Banerjee – MP
Iqbal Ahmed – TMC leader and Deputy Mayor of Kolkata
Madhu Mitra – MLA
Mukul Roy – Then TMC MP (later joined BJP)
He approached several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders with offers of bribes in exchange for promised favors, such as helping his “company” get business contracts in West Bengal.
The operation remained secret for almost two years before being made public in March 2016, just before the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The sting allegedly showed senior TMC leaders accepting bundles of cash.
Sovan Chatterjee – Then Kolkata Mayor
Subrata Mukherjee – Minister (later passed away in 2021)
Firhad Hakim – Minister
Suhasish Chakraborty – MLA
Sougata Roy – MP
Aparupa Poddar (Afrin Ali) – MP
Prasun Banerjee – MP
Iqbal Ahmed – TMC leader and Deputy Mayor of Kolkata
Madhu Mitra – MLA
Mukul Roy – Then TMC MP (later joined BJP)
Saradha scam
The Saradha Group was a large consortium of over 200 companies based in Kolkata, India, operating from around 2006 until its collapse in April 2013.
It collected about ₹20,000–30,000 crore (US $4-6 billion) from an estimated 1.7 million depositors, mostly in Eastern India.
By early 2013 the inflow of new deposits was less than the outflow (payments to existing investors), a death-knell for a Ponzi scheme.
The Group collapsed in April 2013. Many depositors, especially from low-income groups, were left stranded.
It collected about ₹20,000–30,000 crore (US $4-6 billion) from an estimated 1.7 million depositors, mostly in Eastern India.
By early 2013 the inflow of new deposits was less than the outflow (payments to existing investors), a death-knell for a Ponzi scheme.
The Group collapsed in April 2013. Many depositors, especially from low-income groups, were left stranded.
Rose Valley Group Financial Scam
The Rose Valley Group of Companies started as a hotel and entertainment business. Over time, it expanded into sectors like: Real estate, Tourism & hospitality, Entertainment and media (owned Rupashi Bangla TV channel, film production), Financial services
The group promised high returns to investors—sometimes as high as double their investment in 5–7 years.
Key People Involved: Gautam Kundu - Chairman of Rose Valley Group (main accused), Binod Kumar Dey, Ashok Saha, and other company directors – co-accused, Several Trinamool Congress (TMC) politicians allegedly received funds or favors from Rose Valley, including: Tapas Paul (late actor-MP, arrested in 2016), Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC MP, arrested in 2017)
The group promised high returns to investors—sometimes as high as double their investment in 5–7 years.
Key People Involved: Gautam Kundu - Chairman of Rose Valley Group (main accused), Binod Kumar Dey, Ashok Saha, and other company directors – co-accused, Several Trinamool Congress (TMC) politicians allegedly received funds or favors from Rose Valley, including: Tapas Paul (late actor-MP, arrested in 2016), Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC MP, arrested in 2017)