BJP Writes to Jaishankar Seeking Travel Ban
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, demanding a ban on Mamata Banerjee’s foreign travel in her capacity as West Bengal Chief Minister. The demand follows her controversial remarks in the UK, which the BJP claims were anti-India.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused Banerjee of admiring India’s colonial rulers and undermining the country’s economic progress.
Controversial Remarks in the UK
According to the letter, Banerjee praised British rule during a business event in London. She reportedly called the 190-year British rule over India and Bengal a “blissful passage of time” and emphasized India’s emotional connection with the UK.
Adhikari also cited Banerjee’s speech at Oxford University’s Kellogg College, where she disagreed with a prediction that India would become the world’s largest economy by 2060.
“Her skepticism regarding India’s economic progress is simply treasonous,” Adhikari stated.
BJP’s Demand for a Travel Ban
Adhikari insisted that Banerjee should be barred from foreign trips in her official capacity, with no assistance from Indian embassies. He urged Jaishankar to conduct a probe into Banerjee’s statements and ensure such remarks are not repeated in the future.
“It is not only my opinion but a collective demand that Mamata Banerjee should not travel abroad as the Chief Minister of West Bengal,” Adhikari wrote.
Mamata Faces Backlash at Oxford
Earlier on Thursday, Banerjee faced uproar during her speech at Oxford University. A group of students protested against her, raising concerns about post-poll violence and the RG Kar College rape-murder case.
She defended her stance, stating that global economic uncertainties and the impact of COVID-19 make economic growth predictions uncertain.
“Every country is facing trouble post-COVID. If an economic war-like situation is underway, how do we expect to gain? We can only hope,” Banerjee explained.
