NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra on Wednesday accused BJP cadre of threatening “fish-eating Bengalis of Chittaranjan Park” in New Delhi.
In a strongly worded post on X, Moitra claimed BJP “goons” were captured on video threatening fishmongers near a temple in the area. She called out Delhi Police for inaction, writing, “Hello @DelhiPolice- Or are we all supposed to eat dhoklas and chant Jai Shri Ram?”
‘Bengalis are a proud fish-eating people’
In a video message posted on social media, Moitra said, “Everybody has seen the horrifying visuals of the lumpen-BJP goons threatening the Bengalis in Chittaranjan Park in the heart of Delhi. Chittaranjan Park is a Bengali colony. Bengalis are a proud fish-eating people.”
She further claimed that the temple near which the shops were located was built by the local Bengali community, including traders and business owners.
“The Kali temple and the temples there were built by the community. And this particular temple is built by the shopkeepers and the business community of the Chittaranjan Park. You can see how in broad daylight with complete impunity and audacity. The BJP’s goons are threatening shopkeepers and telling them they cannot have shops here. Is the BJP going to tell us what we are going to eat and where we have legal shops? Is the BJP going to tell us that we have to eat dhoklas and say ‘Jai Shri Ram’ three times a day?” she added.
BJP hits back, calls video ‘fake’
Dismissing the allegations, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that the video posted by Moitra was “fake.” He cited a journalist’s report in which vendors from the fish market allegedly denied facing any threats.
“Mahua Moitra posted a video, ostensibly from CR Park in Delhi, alleging that certain individuals were threatening vendors in the DDA-approved fish market located next to a Mandir. The video is false and fabricated. It appears to have been shot with the intent to promote ill will among communities–and perhaps to distract from the ‘versatile international lady’ controversy that the TMC parliamentary party currently finds itself embroiled in. This has been debunked by a ground report conducted by journalist Shivam Pratap Singh. Regular devotees and vendors at the fish market have categorically denied any such intimidation,” Malviya said in a post on X.
Delhi BJP: Don’t stir communal tensions
Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva also condemned Moitra’s remarks, accusing her of trying to create communal tension. In a statement, he said, “Everyone should respect the sanctity of temples, and here at CR Park, fish market traders have always respected temples. Fish Markets have been legally alloted and need of the area. The fish traders maintain a high level of cleanliness in the area and take regular part in the socio-religious activities of CR Park. The video posted on social media by Smt. Mahua Moitra seems to have been tailored by people with vested political interests to disturb community harmony in CR Park. We strongly condemn the incident and request that the Delhi Police take stern action.”
Police says no complaint received
Delhi police said they had not received any formal complaint regarding the incident, but confirmed that the matter was under enquiry.
