Mamata Banerjee Clarifies Her ‘Hiss’ Remark Amid Backlash

Kolkata, Aug 29: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee clarified her recent remarks made during a Trinamool Congress rally. She stated that her comments were not directed against medical students or their movements but were a reference to a popular parable by Hindu mystic Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

Ramakrishna’s Parable Explained

The Chief Minister explained that the parable involves a monk advising a snake “not to bite anybody but to hiss when attacked,” symbolizing the idea that while one should avoid harm, protesting against injustice is justified. Banerjee used this parable to urge student activists to oppose the “propaganda” against her government following the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata earlier this month.

Response to Criticism

After her statement, opposition parties and various groups accused Banerjee of inciting her followers to adopt a “path of revenge” against those protesting the incident. In response, Banerjee clarified that her “hiss” remark was not meant to silence medical professionals or students but to counter the “negative politics” of the BJP and the Union government. She emphasized that she supports the students’ movement and that her comments were aimed at defending democracy in West Bengal.

Banerjee reiterated that her speech referenced the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, emphasizing the need to raise one’s voice against crime and injustice.

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