Murshidabad violence | Mamata is the ‘Durga of the RSS’, says West Bengal CPI(M) leader

CPI(M) leader blames RSS for Murshidabad riots, accuses Mamata Banerjee of supporting RSS, demands judicial probe.

Blaming the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the conspiracy behind the recent riots at Murshidabad, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Md. Salim on Sunday (April 20, 2025) also lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, describing her as the “Durga of the RSS”. His statement recalled the moniker given to Ms. Banerjee by the RSS itself over two decades ago, when she sought the Sangh’s support against the communist parties.

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Addressing a mega rally of the CPI(M)‘s frontal organisations at the Brigade Parade Grounds, the CPI(M) leader quoted legendary Communist leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu’s words that “riots occur when the government wants riots to occur”.

“Therefore, 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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Reacting to his remarks, BJP MP and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called Mr. Salim an “agent of Mamata Banerjee”.

Almost two decades ago in 2003, at the height of the Left Front government, the RSS leadership had described the Trinamool Congress chairperson as “Durga” and Ms. Banerjee had sought “just one percent support” from the RSS to fight the “red terror”.