'This is not a bulldozer state': Mamata Banerjee dons lawyer’s gown, raises post-poll violence concerns in Calcutta court | Watch

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee swapped her signature white sari-and-shawl look for a black lawyer’s gown on Thursday. Appearing at the Calcutta High Court, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo returned to her roots as a trained lawyer to personally argue a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding alleged post-poll violence.

The case, filed by Shirshanya Bandopadhyay, son of senior TMC leader and advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay, relates to allegations of attacks on political workers and party offices following the high-stakes elections that ended the party’s 15-year rule and brought the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to power in the state.

What's the core of her argument?

During the hearing, the former Chief Minister sought urgent protection for affected residents.

More from India

“My regard to all the judges because this is my first time appearing in the High Court. As a lawyer I’m fighting this case,” she said.

Presenting her arguments, she cited visual material and alleged that “even children are not spared, women are not spared, minorities are not spared,” while also submitting a list of ten people she claimed had been killed.

Also read | Mamata meets her reckoning in Bengal, BJP must now deliver on its promises

She further alleged that members of a Scheduled Caste family, including a 92-year-old widow, were displaced from their home, and that properties across communities had been vandalised. Banerjee told the court that “out of 10 dead, six are Hindus,” and also claimed that police were not allowing FIRs to be registered.

She raised concerns over threats, saying that in some cases “12-year-old girls are being threatened with rape,” and described a worsening situation with daily incidents of violence, including damage to public spaces such as fish markets.

“Please protect the people of Bengal. This is not a bulldozer state,” she said, also questioning police action and asking, “Is the police sleeping?” and “After something has happened, they will not investigate?”

Earlier in the day, the TMC had said her appearance in court reflected her commitment, stating that she “never abandons the people of Bengal in their hour of need” and remains committed to “truth, justice, and constitutional values.” It added that she consistently rises above what it called the politics of hatred, showing “compassion, courage and conviction,” and said she continues to prove that “there is truly no leader like her in the country today.”

The case comes amid a politically turbulent phase for the TMC, which is facing internal churn and criticism following its electoral defeat.

Since results were declared on May 4, several districts have reported political violence, including clashes, vandalism, and retaliatory attacks, with both the BJP and TMC blaming each other.