Mamata Banerjee Responds to MEA’s Criticism Over Bangladesh Remarks
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday responded sharply to the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) criticism of her recent statement offering shelter to people from violence-hit Bangladesh. Banerjee, addressing the media, asserted her familiarity with India’s federal structure and MEA policies, stating, “I know the federal structure very well. I was an MP seven times and a Union minister twice. They shouldn’t teach me a lesson; they should learn from the system instead.”
The controversy began with Banerjee’s speech at the annual Martyrs’ Day rally of her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party in Kolkata on July 21. During the rally, she remarked, “I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh as it is a sovereign nation. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter.” She justified her offer by referencing a United Nations resolution that calls for accommodating refugees in regions adjacent to those under turmoil.
Her comments came amidst violent student-led anti-quota protests in Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, expressed concern that Banerjee’s statements could cause “confusion” and “mislead” people. “With due respect, I want to say that we share a very good and warm relationship with CM Mamata Banerjee. But this statement has a scope of creating confusion. We have given a note to the Government of India on this issue,” Mahmud told reporters on Tuesday.
Subsequently, in the MEA’s weekly press briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Bangladesh had lodged a formal protest with India. Jaiswal emphasized the constitutional provisions governing foreign affairs, stating, “According to the list of subject matters allocated to the central government under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, the conduct of foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country are the sole prerogatives of the Union government.”
Banerjee’s assertive stance and the diplomatic exchange underscore the delicate nature of foreign policy and the role of state leaders in international relations.