Mamata Banerjee Leads Protest Against ED Actions in Kolkata

Protests Erupt in Kolkata

On Friday, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), initiated a protest in Kolkata against the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This demonstration followed a raid conducted by the central agency at the office of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) just a day prior.

Banerjee criticized the BJP-led central government for suppressing democratic dissent and misusing law enforcement agencies, particularly in light of the arrests of TMC MPs in Delhi. She emphasized that there can be no compromise on the dignity and respect of democracy, asserting that those in power cannot act arbitrarily towards citizens and elected representatives.

TMC MPs Detained During Protests

Several TMC MPs were taken into custody while protesting outside the office of the Union Home Minister in the capital, in response to the ED's raid on the I-PAC office. In a post on social media, Banerjee condemned the disgraceful and unacceptable treatment of her party's MPs. She stated that dragging elected representatives into the streets for exercising their democratic right to protest is not law enforcement but rather a display of arrogance in uniform. She asserted that democracy does not operate for the convenience of those in power.

Banerjee highlighted the double standards of the BJP, noting that when their leaders protest, they expect red carpets and special privileges, while opposition MPs are dragged, detained, and humiliated.

Call for Mutual Respect

In her post, Banerjee made it clear that respect is reciprocal: "You respect us, and we will respect you. If you drag us onto the streets, we will remind you of tolerance, dissent, and the constitutional values of democratic ethics. This is our India. We are citizens by right, not subject to any chair, badge, or position of power. No government, party, or Home Minister can dictate who deserves respect in a democracy."

ED's Allegations Against Banerjee

The Enforcement Directorate has accused Banerjee of entering the residential premises of Pratik Jain, the director of I-PAC, during their ongoing search operation in Kolkata and seizing "crucial evidence," including physical documents and electronic devices.