FIR against Mamata Banerjee for remarks ‘hurting religious sentiments’

ByTech Word News

An FIR has been lodged against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for remarks hurtful to religious sentiments. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

Police on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) said an FIR has been lodged against former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for hurting religious sentiments based on a lawyer’s complaint.

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The complaint was lodged at the Siliguri Cyber ​​Crime Police Station on 20 May 2026 by advocate Rinki Chattopadhyay Singh. She also alleged that the police initially refused to register the case and that the FIR was received only after repeated checks.

According to the complainant, Ms Banerjee’s two remarks – one during a religious event in 2025 and the other at a protest in Dharmatala ahead of the assembly elections – deeply hurt the feelings and beliefs of “millions of Sanatan Hindus in India and the world”.

The lawyer also argued that the statements were unconstitutional and provocative in nature, a senior police officer said.

The complainant said that Ms. Banerjee “stated that a certain community can ‘finish off’ others within five minutes if it wishes. Such comments are not expected from a person holding a constitutional office”.

The FIR is registered under Sections 351 (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 353 (spreading false statements), 354 (intimidation by inducing belief in divine displeasure), 356 (criminal offences, defamation) and 299 intentionally offending religious sentiments and 299.

A senior police officer at the Siliguri Commissionerate of Police confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the matter.

“We have received a complaint and a case has been registered as per the procedure. The matter is under investigation and all aspects mentioned in the FIR are being examined,” an officer told PTI.

Published – 27 May 2026 11:47 IST