M. Salim, the leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxism), spoke at a rally on a trip to Kolkata. |Picture source: Debasish Bhaduri
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) blamed the conspiracy behind the recent riots in Murshidabad, the Secretary of State of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) M. Salim (20 April 20, 2025) also slammed Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and described her “Mamata Banerjee” describing her durga’ His statement recalls the nickname RSS itself gave Ms. Banerjee twenty years ago when she sought Sangh’s support for the Communist Party.
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The CPI(M) leaders cite a large rally of the frontal lobe organization of CPI(M), citing legendary Communist leader and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, saying: “The government hopes for a riot to occur when the riots occur”.
“So if we consider [riots at] Dhulagarh, Basirhat Asansol, Raniganj and several other places in north Bengal, and last year at Rishra and Shibpur… the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wanted them (to occur) because she is the RSS’s Durga,” Mr. Salim said. He added that the RSS has been able to extend its footprints in West Bengal because the Trinamool Congress government has allowed the organisation to spread its wings.
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BJP MP and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari responded to his speech, calling Mr Salim “the agent of Mamata Banerjee”.
Trading blame
About twenty years ago in 2003, at the height of the left front government, the RSS leadership called the President of the Congress “Durga”, while Ms. Banerjee sought “only one percent support” of RSS to fight the “Red Terror.”
Read also | Murshidabad Violence: 274 arrested, 60 firs sent
Mr Salim’s remarks come a day after Ms. Banerjee accused RSS of “vicious false campaign” in West Bengal.
“The BJP and its allies suddenly became very active in West Bengal. These allies include RSS. I didn’t have the name of RSS before, but I’m now forced to identify them. Together they launched a vicious fake campaign in the state,” the Chief Minister wrote a public letter in an open letter, which was made public on the evening of April 19, 2025 (April 19, 2025).
Need for judicial investigations
Three people were killed in the violence that broke out in Mershidabad from April 11 to 12, and hundreds had to flee the Marda area. CPI(M) leaders demand a judicial investigation into violence.
“We want to conduct a judicial investigation into the Murhidabad riots to raise the truth. The TMC and the BJP engage in competitive communism is nothing more than a desperate strategy to divert the focus from the practical issues affecting ordinary people,” Salim said. He was one of the first to visit areas affected by violence and meet with victims of riots.
Salim pointed out the current situation in Bangladesh, “CPI (M) will not allow Murshidabad to become Bangladesh. As long as the Communists are blood in our blood, we will continue to fight those who are addicted to the riot.”
Supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxists) gathered on a tourist venue in Kolkata. |Picture source: Debasish Bhaduri
Speakers for the CPI (M) rally include Amal Haldar of Krishak Sabha, all India, Anadi Sahu, leader of the Centre of Trade Unions (CITU), and Sukharanjan Dey of CPI (M) Bustee Front. DYFI President and newly elected CPI (M) Central Committee Member Meenkashi Mukherjee is one of the largest groups and has not settled the party.
publishing – April 20, 2025 at 10:04 pm IST
