Kolkata/IBNS: Sharpening her attack on the Modi government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she won't allow people to be pushed into detention camps and threatened to launch a massive movement if a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is launched in her state.

Addressing the Martyrs' Day rally in downtown Kolkata, Mamata, who delivered her speech in Bengali as well as Hindi, threatened to launch a movement against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over SIR, a drive which is currently operational in poll-bound Bihar to revise the voter list.

The TMC supremo has cleared that she won't allow the drive to be conducted in West Bengal, which goes to polls next summer.

"You talk about misrule but it is your government who is misruling. I respect the ECI, but over 40 lakh voters’ names were removed in Bihar.

"Now, you plan to do the same in Bengal. If you try that here, we will launch a Gherao movement. We will organise a massive protest. We will not allow you to strike off names and push people into detention camps," the 70-year-old feisty politician said at the rally that paralysed normal lives in the city on the week's inaugural working day.

Mamata seized the issue of the alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in BJP-ruled states setting the tone for her party Trinamool Congress' campaign for the next assembly elections, which will be held in less than a year's time.

"They broke Ishwar Vidyasagar’s bust last time. And now, before the polls, they have issued a circular which was not sent to Bengal, but to other BJP-ruled States. It says that if someone is suspected, they should be detained for a month and sent to detention or holding camps.

"This is the Government of India's notification dated 2 May 2025. Over 1,000 people have been taken to Bangladesh or to Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha," said the Chief Minister, who holds the rally every year primarily to remember 13 people who died in police firing in 1993 during the Left Front regime.

She added, "A BJP leader has claimed that there are 17 lakh Rohingyas here and that their names must be removed from the voter list. I ask him, what is the actual global strength of the Rohingyas? You should study before making such statements.

"According to the last figure shared by the UN, there are around 10 lakh Rohingyas across the world. The figure may go up to 13–14 lakh. So, where did you get 17 lakh from? There may be people from Myanmar, but does that mean everyone is a Rohingya?"

In a rare verbal battle with any other Chief Minister, Mamata on Monday launched a direct attack on Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who last week accused the TMC chairperson of compromising "Bengal’s future—encouraging illegal encroachment by a particular community ,appeasing one religious community for vote banks, and remaining silent as border infiltration eats away at national integrity".

"The Assam CM cannot control his own State, and yet he is poking his nose into Bengal. If you don’t stop, I will ask Sushmita Dev to start a movement. We will all go together. Let’s see how many of us you can fit into detention camps," Mamata thundered.

Mamata, who has recently inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha, on Monday said her government will build 'Durga Angan', days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked Maa Kali and Maa Durga during his speech in the Durgapur rally.

"Maa Durga is our State and the nation's asset. It (Durga Puja) has been granted intangible heritage status. Just like Jagannath Dham, I will build a "Durga Angan" in Bengal. Starting 27 July, every Saturday and Sunday, organise marches and meetings about the violence and disrespect shown towards the Bengali language.

"Take along people who speak different languages. If any migrant worker or their family says they are in trouble, stand by them and inform us," she said.

Mamata Banerjee wants to unleash violence on BJP, says Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who held a counter rally in Siliguri, slammed the Chief Minister for allegedly ordering to unleash violence on BJP workers.

Adhikari said the Election Commission of India must take note of the Chief Minister's words and appealed to the poll body to take necessary steps to ensure fair assembly elections in the state, which has never been ruled by the BJP since Independence.

"Mamata Banerjee's words drip with violence; an order to unleash violence on countless BJP workers across West Bengal. Earlier thousands of our Karyakartas have faced attacks, intimidation and worse, yet we have remained steadfast in our fight for truth and justice. Her slogan, "Jabda hobe, stabda hobe" (You will be punished, silenced), is a desperate attempt to cling on to power through fear as the 2026 Elections loom.

"The BJP will not be silenced, will not be intimidated. We will continue to raise our voice against TMC's misrule and work tirelessly for democratically overthrowing the TMC Govt for a prosperous West Bengal," the BJP strongman wrote on X.

"However, the Election Commission of India must take cognisance of this statement made by Mamata Banerjee. This is an indication how 'peaceful' the Assembly Elections are going to be.

"The Election Commission of India should take note and make preparations accordingly so that there is a level playing field for all the participants in the upcoming Elections," the Nandigram MLA, who defeated Mamata from the constituency in 2021, added. 

Adhikari has also asserted that the "Rohingyas" will be removed from the voter list no matter what.

Modi's tough message on infiltration

Modi on Friday accused the TMC of backing the infiltrators for its alleged appeasement politics and endangering "Bengal's unique identity".

Addressing a mega rally in Durgapur, Modi asserted the "infiltrators will be dealt with according to the Constitution".

The Prime Minister accused the TMC of issuing "fake identity cards" to the infiltrators.

"For the BJP, Bengali identity is paramount. But what is happening here? Trinamool is endangering Bengal’s unique culture for its own interests. They are allowing infiltrators in, issuing them fake identity cards.

"They have created an entire ecosystem that is harming both the country and Bengal. In their pursuit of appeasement, they have crossed all limits. They are even taking to the streets in support of infiltrators. They are threatening the Constitution and constitutional institutions of the country," said the Prime Minister.

In a strict message from the 'Steel City of West Bengal', Modi invoked Maa Durga and said everyone who is an infiltrator will be dealt with legally.

"But from the sacred land of Maa Durga, I want to say this clearly: those who are not citizens of India, who have entered illegally, will be dealt with according to the Constitution of India and through legal means. The BJP will not allow any conspiracy against Bengali identity to succeed. This is Modi’s guarantee," said the Prime Minister.

(Mamata Banerjee's photos from Martyrs' Day rally: AITC)