KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on the targeting of seven judicial officers in Malda’s Kaliachak last week and held it up as an example of Bengal’s law and order situation while addressing his first rally in Bengal since the announcement of the assembly poll dates.“Everyone can see that the rule of law is collapsing in Bengal. Citizens across the country were shocked at how judicial officers were held hostage in Malda. What kind of govt is this, where even judges and constitutional authorities are not safe? If they are not safe, how can ordinary people feel safe?” Modi said in his speech at Rashmela Maidan in Cooch Behar on Sunday.“What happened in Malda is not just an act of arrogance by TMC; it reflects a complete breakdown of law and order — a state of jungle raj. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that Supreme Court had to intervene,” he said.Modi spoke on infiltration and said the SIR was aimed at weeding out illegal settlers from the voters’ list. Ananta Maharaj — BJP’s Rajya Sabha member who has been vocal against SIR — was by PM Modi’s side when he spoke in favour of roll revision.“Bengal’s demography has undergone a dangerous transformation in the 15 years of TMC. TMC has allowed infiltrators to enter Bengal and absorbed them into its own syndicate network. That is why the govt of India is identifying infiltrators and taking steps to remove them. Many other countries are taking similar measures,” the PM said.The TMC govt, he said, is opposing SIR and even threatening to scrap CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) to protect infiltrators. “They are taking away the rights of Hindu citizens who are legally settled here and giving citizenship to infiltrators, treating them as vote bank,” Modi said.Taking a further dig at Trinamool, Modi questioned the motive of naming the party’s election manifesto ‘ishtehar’. “Instead of using a Bengali word, they have used the term ‘ishtehar’, which raises questions about how they are representing Bengal’s identity. Back in 1905, religious forces had issued a ‘Lal Ishtehar’ in Bengal, after which there were incidents of violence against Hindus,” he said.The PM also attempted to woo woman voters by referring to the law on reservation of seats in Parliament and assemblies.“We believe women should play a greater role in nation-building. A three-day special Parliament session is scheduled from April 16 to accelerate the implementation of the women’s reservation law, which enables 33% representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies by the 2029 elections. This right of mothers and daughters has been pending for 40 years,” he said.The PM repeated his “chun chun ke hisaab kiya jayega (each and every one will be held accountable)” jibe while focusing on the state’s law and order situation.“You must trust the law on the day of voting, however much TMC supporters try to intimidate you. Ebar Bangla theke bhoy palabe (This time fear will disappear from Bengal). Inke paapo ka pura hisaab kiya jayega (their sins will be fully accounted for)… chun chun ke hisaab kiya jayega,” said Modi.Modi vowed justice would be delivered after the results are announced on May 4.
