Indian state of West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticized some Bangladeshi politicians for their remarks claiming rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
She questioned whether Bangladesh thinks Indians “would have lollipop” when external forces attempt to occupy Indian territories.
During the Mughal period, Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa were part of the Bengal Subah, which was one of the administrative divisions of the Mughal Empire. The Bengal Subah, also known as Mughal Bengal, was a major administrative division of the Mughal Empire from the 16th to the 18th centuries.
It encompassed modern-day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
Established after the dissolution of the Bengal Sultanate, Bengal Subah became one of the wealthiest and most prosperous regions in the Indian subcontinent, known for its thriving textile industry, shipbuilding, and trade.
Addressing the state assembly, Mamata responded to remarks from certain leaders with a simple message: “Stay calm and healthy and have peace of mind.”
The BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday warned that if India lays claim to Chittagong, the neighbouring country will have to return Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha to Bangladesh.
Though Mamata condemned Rizvi’s statement, she did not address the provocative claims from certain Indian media about occupying Chittagong.
Mamata highlighted that West Bengal’s imams have denounced the comments and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, urging people to maintain composure despite provocative statements.
Mamata confirmed that the West Bengal government and her party would adhere to Indian Ministry of External Affairs guidelines without making unauthorized statements.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conducted discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin amidst strained relations following Sheikh Hasina’s removal in August. This marked the first high-level Indian delegation since the uprising that ended Hasina’s 15-year leadership.
