I meant protest: Mamata Banerjee clarifies her call for befitting response construed by Opposition as threat

In an X post, the Chief Minister said, "I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them.

"I also clarify that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying."

Mamata made the remark slamming the Nabanna march which was carried out by students under the banner of 'Chhatra Samaj' demanding justice for the RG Kar victim and the administrative head's resignation.

People clashed with police, water cannons and tear gas shells were fired on several roads leading to Howrah, where state secretariat Nabanna is located, on Tuesday.

The demand for the Chief Minister's resignation was triggered by the state administration's handling and the alleged cover-up of the 31-year-old trainee doctor's rape and murder at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month.

Speaking at a mega rally of her Trinamool Congress' youth wing, Mamata referred to her slogan against the then Left government in 2011 when she asked people to bring in a political change but no revenge.

Thirteen years later, Mamata, a senior politician, has perhaps deflected from her stance but with caution.

"I have been humiliated a lot but never turned vengeance. We wanted change but no revenge. But now I ask you to counter in a manner it is required as per your understanding. I don't want violence but counter as and when required. Unmask all who are conspiring against us," Mamata said in downtown Kolkata.

Relaunching her outsider-insider debate that ruled the 2021 assembly elections which TMC won by a mammoth margin, the Chief Minister warned people, who have come from other states and resided in West Bengal, of a counter if they resort to violence against police.

In the backdrop of the protesters-police clash during Nabanna march on Tuesday, Mamata said, "People, who are outsiders but staying in Bengal, should be ready for a counter-attack if they hurt police conspiring with the BJP. I don't want anyone to be attacked. I do not want any death or loss. But I won't allow people to stay in Bengal and torture the state.

"There is no reason for considering me as weak. Sometimes, it is better to be tolerant. But no one knows what I can do if my tolerance limit crosses because I am the product of the movement. I am born with movement and will die with it. Challenge me if you can."

Other states will also burn, says Mamata

In reference to the student protests in the neighbouring country over a controversial quota system that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, Mamata said, "Some people think this (agitation) is similar to the protests in Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh, they speak like us (Bengal). Our culture is also the same. However, Bangladesh is a different country."

"PM Modi, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, the North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi will also burn," she added.

CM is provoking her goons, says BJP

Strongly reacting to Mamata's comments, BJP MP and state unit president Sukanta Majumdar said, "She is provoking violence against common people, who went out demanding justice on August 14 and 27.

"She is provoking her goons to thrash people of the state. We have seen for the first time a Chief Minister is giving threats and provoking party cadres to resort to violence... People will hit back at them democratically."