A major protest in Bengal against BSF gained momentum this week after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on women across the state to lead resistance against the Border Security Force. Speaking at a Trinamool Congress rally in Cooch Behar on Tuesday, December 10, Banerjee accused the BSF of pushing Indian citizens into Bangladesh and harassing border residents. Furthermore, she urged state police to respond swiftly to any complaints about BSF actions.
The controversy intensified after six residents from Birbhum district were allegedly forced across the border in June 2025. Moreover, Banerjee linked these incidents to ongoing electoral roll revisions ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
Key Allegations Against BSF
Mamata Banerjee’s Main Accusations:
- BSF pushing Indian citizens into Bangladesh despite valid documents
- Harassment of women in border areas
- Allowing infiltrators to enter Bengal while blocking genuine residents
- Acting on “blueprint” from Central government
- Facilitating militants to destabilize West Bengal
Banerjee specifically mentioned the case of Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman from Birbhum, who was reunited with her family after being pushed into Bangladesh. “Despite having valid citizenship documents, the BSF pushed them into Bangladesh,” she alleged at the rally.
Women Leading the Movement
The Chief Minister made a direct appeal to women during her speech. “Let our mothers and sisters come forward and speak out against the BSF’s actions in the border areas,” Banerjee declared. Additionally, she challenged whether Bengal’s women could prove “braver and stronger” than those affiliated with the BJP.
She also warned residents not to be intimidated by Central forces. Similarly, she instructed police officials to act immediately on any harassment complaints. During an administrative meeting on Monday, December 9, she had already directed law enforcement to prioritize such cases.
Cases of Alleged Wrongful Deportation
| Incident | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| June 2025 | Paikar village, Birbhum | 6 residents pushed across border |
| Recent | Birbhum district | Sunali Khatun (pregnant) and 8-year-old son deported |
| Status | Ongoing | 4 Bengali-speaking Indians still in Bangladesh |
Banerjee stated her government works actively to bring back Bengali-speaking Indian nationals from Bangladesh. However, she emphasized that all deportees possessed valid citizenship documents before BSF actions.
Electoral Roll Controversy
The Chief Minister connected BSF actions to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway. The Election Commission conducts this review to update voter lists before the 2026 assembly elections. Nevertheless, Banerjee questioned the rushed timeline.
“Why the rush? The last time this happened in 2002, the process took two years,” she remarked at an administrative meeting. Furthermore, she claimed genuine voters’ names were being removed improperly. “People who are alive are being marked as dead” in updated rolls, she alleged.
Consequently, Banerjee suspects the Commission might announce poll dates soon after releasing the final list to prevent legal challenges. Therefore, she urged party workers to help affected voters gather necessary documents.
Warning to Border Residents
At a rally in Krishnagar on December 11, Banerjee issued a stern warning to citizens living near border regions. She advised them to stay away from BSF posts completely. Meanwhile, she assured residents that her government would not permit any evictions or disenfranchisement.
“Our BLAs are already working to help people with documentation issues,” she said. Additionally, she promised no detention camps would be established in Bengal under Trinamool Congress rule.
Central Government Funding Dispute
Beyond the BSF controversy, Banerjee attacked the Union government for withholding funds. She accused the Centre of blocking money owed to Bengal under MGNREGA and housing schemes. Moreover, she claimed this continues despite Supreme Court directives.
“The BJP-led government is trying to financially choke Bengal,” she stated at the rally. Dramatically, she tore apart a letter from the Centre on stage. Subsequently, she accused the Union government of imposing unjust conditions on job schemes.
Political Context in Cooch Behar
The timing proves significant as internal Trinamool Congress conflicts emerged in Cooch Behar district. A feud between former North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh and incumbent minister Udayan Guha had escalated recently. Therefore, Banerjee intervened personally during her visit.
At a late-night meeting on Monday, she directed district leaders to end their differences immediately. “When a battle is on, everyone must fight together,” she emphasized. Consequently, leaders displayed unity at Tuesday’s public meeting, though observers question its longevity.
Election Stakes
The 2026 assembly elections raise the stakes considerably. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Trinamool narrowly led BJP in five of Cooch Behar’s nine assembly segments. Conversely, BJP led in the remaining four constituencies. This demonstrates the region’s political volatility.
Party sources confirm Banerjee worries that internal conflicts combined with BSF controversies could hurt electoral prospects. Hence, she pushed for visible unity among district leaders while mobilizing women against perceived BSF excesses.
BSF’s Role and Jurisdiction
The Border Security Force guards India’s 4,096-kilometer border with Bangladesh. Much of this border remains porous with rivers complicating surveillance. Nevertheless, Banerjee argues BSF actions exceed their mandate.
“Border security is not our responsibility and BSF looks after this,” she acknowledged. However, she insists the force cannot harass residents or push citizens across borders without proper procedures. Therefore, she directed the state Director General of Police to investigate specific incidents.
BJP’s Response
BJP leaders rejected Banerjee’s allegations completely. West Bengal BJP chief questioned her accusations in a social media post. He noted that despite refusing to provide land for BSF surveillance outposts, Banerjee blamed the force for infiltration issues.
Similarly, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier stated that infiltration from Bangladesh was disrupting Bengal’s peace. This contradicts Banerjee’s claims that BSF facilitates rather than prevents infiltration.
No Detention Camps Promise
Banerjee repeatedly assured residents about detention camps. “As long as the Trinamool Congress is in power, there will be no detention camps here,” she declared firmly. Additionally, she promised no one would be pushed back across the border.
“We will not bow down to the BJP,” she added, framing the issue as resistance against Central government pressure. Moreover, she emphasized maintaining peaceful relations with Bangladesh while protecting Bengal residents’ rights.
Public Support and Criticism
Local residents near border areas express mixed reactions. Some appreciate Banerjee’s intervention and support from state police. Others worry about infiltration concerns raised by opposition parties. Meanwhile, families affected by alleged wrongful deportations seek guarantees of safety rather than just compensation.
Critics point out contradictions in Banerjee’s stance. She accuses BSF of both facilitating infiltration and pushing genuine residents out simultaneously. Nevertheless, her supporters argue she highlights different aspects of border management failures.
The protest in Bengal against BSF continues gathering momentum as the 2026 elections approach, with Mamata Banerjee strategically positioning herself as defender of Bengali-speaking residents against perceived Central overreach while simultaneously managing internal party conflicts in crucial border districts like Cooch Behar.
