West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made a pointed appeal to the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, urging the judiciary to protect the country’s Constitution, democracy, and institutions from what she described as a looming “disaster,” while taking veiled digs at the central government and federal agencies amid escalating political tensions in the state.
The comments came during the inauguration of the new building of the Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court in Jalpaiguri. The event was attended by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, and other dignitaries. Speaking in front of the judiciary and a gathering of officials, Banerjee highlighted what she described as the “deliberate attempts by agencies to defame the people” through preemptive media trials and selective targeting, framing her remarks within the context of ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Appeal to the Judiciary
Addressing the Chief Justice of India, Banerjee said, “My request to the Chief Justice and all the judges: please see that our Constitution, democracy, safety and security, history, geography, and our boundary are protected from disaster.” She emphasised the importance of judicial independence in ensuring that constitutional principles remain intact, particularly in times of political tension.
She cautioned against what she described as “media trials before a court delivers its judgment,” stating, “This is a trend nowadays to malign the people. There are deliberate attempts by agencies to defame the people.” Banerjee stressed that her plea was not for personal protection but for the safeguarding of democracy, the judiciary, and the Constitution. “Please protect the people. I am not saying this for myself. Save democracy, the judiciary, the country, and save the Constitution. We are under your custody. There is no above the judiciary,” she added, underscoring her appeal for impartial oversight and protection of institutional integrity.
Political Context: ED Raids and I-PAC Controversy
Banerjee’s remarks come against the backdrop of a tense standoff between the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government and the ED, which recently conducted raids at multiple locations across West Bengal and Delhi. The searches were reportedly linked to an alleged money laundering investigation and included the Salt Lake office of political consultancy firm I-PAC, as well as the residence of its director, Pratik Jain.
The chief minister herself visited Jain’s residence during the raids and reportedly removed documents and a laptop, alleging that the agency was attempting to seize sensitive internal party materials. According to TMC sources, these files contained details related to the 2026 assembly elections, including candidate lists. The ED, in response, accused Mamata Banerjee of obstructing its work and removing evidence during the raid.
This confrontation has intensified political rhetoric in the state, coming ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 assembly elections. The opposition has accused the federal government of using agencies selectively to influence the political process, a charge consistently denied by the Centre. Banerjee’s remarks align with repeated calls by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, who has raised concerns over alleged electoral manipulation and interference by central authorities in West Bengal.
Defending State Initiatives Amid Funding Cuts
While addressing the gathering at the Circuit Bench, Mamata Banerjee also highlighted her government’s initiatives in the judicial sector, especially in the creation of fast-track courts. She pointed out that despite the Centre having stopped funding for such courts in West Bengal, her administration had established 88 fast-track courts across the state, spending over ₹1,200 crore to ensure expedited legal processes.
“We have already spent more than ₹1,200 crore on courts. Please do not mind,” she remarked, addressing the Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who was present at the event. Banerjee’s comments underscored her administration’s commitment to maintaining judicial infrastructure and addressing delays, even amid political and financial constraints imposed by the central government.
Accusations and Counterclaims
The ED raids and the subsequent political exchanges have triggered a larger debate over the role of federal agencies in state politics. While Mamata Banerjee has framed the raids as an attempt to undermine democracy and the integrity of state institutions, the ED maintains that the searches were standard procedures under a legal framework targeting alleged financial irregularities.
Banerjee, however, has accused the agency of going beyond its mandate by attempting to seize party documents, framing it as an attempt to influence the upcoming elections. According to sources within the TMC, the timing and nature of the raids appear orchestrated to create a “media narrative” against the ruling party in West Bengal, which she claims is part of a broader strategy to “defame” the people of the state and manipulate public perception.
Implications Ahead of Elections
The confrontation between the TMC and central agencies is particularly significant given the proximity of the 2026 assembly elections. Political analysts note that such actions often trigger debates about federal overreach, the independence of investigative agencies, and the role of the judiciary in mediating disputes between state and central authorities.
Banerjee’s direct appeal to the Chief Justice of India highlights the increasing politicisation of law enforcement agencies in the state and underscores the tensions between state and federal powers. By framing the issue as one of constitutional and democratic protection, the chief minister is signalling her commitment to resisting what she perceives as undue influence from central authorities.
Wider Political Resonance
Mamata Banerjee’s speech also echoes broader concerns raised by opposition leaders across India regarding the use of central investigative agencies in state politics. Rahul Gandhi, in particular, has been vocal in West Bengal and other states about alleged attempts to interfere in the democratic process through selective targeting of political parties and their leaders.
The chief minister’s reference to media trials and defamation attempts aligns with ongoing debates over press freedom, accountability of investigative agencies, and the balance of powers within India’s federal system. Banerjee’s insistence on the judiciary’s role as the ultimate guardian of democracy and constitutional rights seeks to remind all stakeholders of the legal and institutional checks in place to prevent misuse of power.
Conclusion
At a time when political temperatures are rising ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee’s remarks at the Circuit Bench inauguration in Jalpaiguri reflect her strategy of positioning the TMC as a defender of democracy and constitutional propriety. By appealing directly to the Chief Justice of India, she has underscored her concerns over perceived overreach by federal agencies and the need for judicial oversight to safeguard the rights of citizens and the integrity of electoral processes.
The confrontation over the I-PAC raids is likely to remain a focal point in West Bengal’s political discourse, influencing narratives around governance, federalism, and the role of investigative agencies in democratic India. As political tensions continue to mount, the eyes of both the judiciary and the electorate will be on how these events unfold in the months leading up to the assembly polls.
Leave a Reply