‘Refugee or infiltrator?’ Abhishek presses BJP over Sheikh Hasina

A fresh political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after Abhishek Banerjee publicly questioned the legal status of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina in India, directly targeting the central government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) state headquarters in Kolkata on Friday night, Banerjee, who is also the party’s All India General Secretary, criticised the BJP’s recent political resolution and accused the ruling party of double standards.

Addressing reporters, Banerjee alleged that Bengali-speaking people, particularly in BJP-ruled states, have faced discrimination and harassment. Referring to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam, he claimed that a significant number of Bengali Hindus were unfairly targeted.

He further accused BJP leaders of making inflammatory remarks against Bengalis without facing any disciplinary action from the party.

The TMC leader then turned his focus to Sheikh Hasina, raising pointed questions about her presence in India.

“If BJP claims Bengal is being influenced by Bangladesh, then what is Sheikh Hasina doing in Delhi?” Banerjee asked. “For what reason has the government given her shelter for one and a half years?”

He went on to question her legal standing, asking whether she should be considered a “refugee” or an “infiltrator,” and said only the central government could clarify the matter.

Banerjee also took aim at remarks attributed to BJP leaders suggesting that West Bengal could be governed from outside the state if the party comes to power, calling it an insult to the people of Bengal.

The comments have intensified political tensions in the state, with the issue of Bangladesh and cross-border identity once again emerging as a sensitive topic ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Political analysts say Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India could become a significant campaign issue, adding a new dimension to an already heated contest between the BJP and the ruling TMC led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

So far, there has been no immediate response from the central government or the BJP regarding Banerjee’s remarks.