NEW DELHI: The Army on Monday dismantled a stage erected by the Trinamool Congress near the Gandhi statue in Kolkata’s Maidan, where the party had been protesting alleged atrocities on Bengali-speaking migrant workers.
A defence official told PTI that the Army (Local military Authority, Kolkata) usually permits the events in the Maidan area for a duration of two days, as directed by the Supreme Court, but for three days, one needs permission from the ministry of defence.
"Permission for conduct of events was provided for two days. However, the stage has been put up for almost a month. Several reminders have been sent to the organisers for removal of the temporary structure. However, it was not removed," the defence official said.
He said that the city police officials were present at the site to ensure maintenance of law and order.
TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of using Army as their toy and urged them to not be played in the hands of the Saffron party.
"I do not blame the Army, but the BJP's vendetta politics is behind it. The double-engine government of the BJP is to be blamed. They are misusing the Army. This is unethical, undemocratic," Banerjee, who rushed to the spot, told reporters.
" want to use the Army for their own purpose. This is the message of the day. They don't care about internal security and border security. They should not do this...We had permission for the event, we had also paid the fee..." she added.
She said that the Army should have consulted the Kolkata Police before dismantling the stage and added that they could have called her, she would remove the stage within minutes.
"I don't blame the Army, just appeal to them to remain neutral and not play in the hands of the BJP," the Bengal CM said.
TMC’s Kunal Ghosh alleged political targeting, accusing the Centre of “bringing in the Army after the ED and CBI,” and said the protest would shift to Rani Rashmoni Road.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said it was Banerjee's "frustration" that made her take on the defence forces and put "wild" allegations against BJP.
"Such things happen when you remain sleepless for nights in fear of losing power that's imminent. She has enjoyed unbridled power for long, and when the threat of her ouster is clear and present, she takes her frustrations out on the Army and levels wild allegations against the BJP," he claimed.
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty maintained that TMC's 'Bhasha Andolan' demonstrations hardly have mass appeal.
The Maidan area is under the authority of the Indian Army, whose Eastern Command headquarters is situated nearby at Fort William.
A defence official told PTI that the Army (Local military Authority, Kolkata) usually permits the events in the Maidan area for a duration of two days, as directed by the Supreme Court, but for three days, one needs permission from the ministry of defence.
"Permission for conduct of events was provided for two days. However, the stage has been put up for almost a month. Several reminders have been sent to the organisers for removal of the temporary structure. However, it was not removed," the defence official said.
He said that the city police officials were present at the site to ensure maintenance of law and order.
TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of using Army as their toy and urged them to not be played in the hands of the Saffron party.
VIDEO | Kolkata: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrives at the TMC protest site after the Army begins dismantling the dharna stage in front of the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 1, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/LuuccQmHku
"I do not blame the Army, but the BJP's vendetta politics is behind it. The double-engine government of the BJP is to be blamed. They are misusing the Army. This is unethical, undemocratic," Banerjee, who rushed to the spot, told reporters.
" want to use the Army for their own purpose. This is the message of the day. They don't care about internal security and border security. They should not do this...We had permission for the event, we had also paid the fee..." she added.
She said that the Army should have consulted the Kolkata Police before dismantling the stage and added that they could have called her, she would remove the stage within minutes.
"I don't blame the Army, just appeal to them to remain neutral and not play in the hands of the BJP," the Bengal CM said.
#WATCH | After TMC protest stage set up at Mayo road under Army area limits in Kolkata was dismantled after expiry of permission, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "It is unethical, unconstitutional, undemocratic and misuse of power by the BJP. They want to use the Army for… pic.twitter.com/WfGXqkKwPg
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2025
TMC’s Kunal Ghosh alleged political targeting, accusing the Centre of “bringing in the Army after the ED and CBI,” and said the protest would shift to Rani Rashmoni Road.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya said it was Banerjee's "frustration" that made her take on the defence forces and put "wild" allegations against BJP.
"Such things happen when you remain sleepless for nights in fear of losing power that's imminent. She has enjoyed unbridled power for long, and when the threat of her ouster is clear and present, she takes her frustrations out on the Army and levels wild allegations against the BJP," he claimed.
CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty maintained that TMC's 'Bhasha Andolan' demonstrations hardly have mass appeal.
The Maidan area is under the authority of the Indian Army, whose Eastern Command headquarters is situated nearby at Fort William.
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