the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Amit Malviya, West Bengal chief of BJP took to Twitter and wrote, “The systematic annihilation of BJP workers and supporters in Bengal under the patronage of the West Bengal administration has the Bengali diaspora up in arms against Mamata Banerjee. Widespread protests across US, Canada, UK, Nigeria, Thailand, etc demanding #MamataStopViolence”.
The protestors requested justice and an investigation into the West Bengal violence. Author Sahana Singh from Houston said, “My mind recoils at the manner in which Hindu women have been dragged by the hair, flung on the floor, battered and raped”. She added, “I grew up in Kolkata and soaked in the culture of the Divine Feminine. So, I cannot fathom how a state with a woman at the helm of affairs can sanction such cruelty and vendetta against women simply due to differences of political opinion”.
The BJP accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the violence in the state, claiming that TMC staff and sympathizers attacked the rivals. J P Nadda, BJP president, said, “I had heard of the immense atrocities committed during the Partition, but I have never seen such post-poll violence that is occurring in West Bengal after the declaration of election results (on May 2)”. He told the media, “We are committed to democratically fight this ideological battle and the activities of the TMC, which is full of intolerance”.
According to the BJP, at least six BJP staff and supporters, including a woman, have been killed in alleged TMC violence. According to the TMC, three of its supporters were killed in the violence. Other groups, such as the Left and the Congress, have also blamed the TMC for the violence in the state, claiming that it was directed at their members and well-wishers. The TMC, on the other hand, has dismissed the allegations. The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously urged citizens to stay calm and refrain from engaging in any kind of violence.
