Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mamata Banerjee

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mamata Banerjee.

Mamata Banerjee is an Indian politician and lawyer, currently serving as the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011, the first woman to hold the position. She is the founder and president of the All India Trinamool Congress. Previously, she served as a Union Cabinet Minister and is the current leader of the house in West Bengal's Legislative Assembly. She is a prominent figure in Indian politics.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 1993: Protest march to Writers' Building

On 21 July 1993, the State Youth Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, organized a protest march to Writers' Building in Kolkata against the Left Front government. The protest, demanding voter ID cards as the only required document for voting, resulted in the death of thirteen people shot by police.

April 1996: Alleged Congress (I) was behaving as a stooge of the CPI-M

In April 1996, Mamata Banerjee alleged that Congress (I) was behaving as a stooge of the CPI-M in West Bengal, advocating for a "clean Congress".

December 1998: Incident in Lok Sabha

On 11 December 1998, Mamata Banerjee held a Samajwadi Party MP, Daroga Prasad Saroj, by the collar and dragged him out of the Lok Sabha to prevent him from protesting against the Women's Reservation Bill.

August 2006: Resignation Papers Hurled in Lok Sabha

On 4 August 2006, Mamata Banerjee hurled her resignation papers at the deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal in Lok Sabha after her adjournment motion on illegal infiltration by Bangladeshis in West Bengal was rejected.

2007: Nandigram Violence

In 2007, armed police stormed Nandigram to suppress protests against the government's land acquisition plans for a Special Economic Zone, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 villagers and injuries to 70 more. Allegedly, CPI(M) cadres molested and raped 300 women and girls during the Nandigram invasions.

October 2012: Controversial statement on increasing rape incidence

On October 17, 2012, Mamata Banerjee attributed the increasing incidence of rape in the country to "more free interaction between men and women", which sparked criticism in the national media.

2014: Inquiry into 1993 protest

In 2014, an inquiry into the 1993 protest march to Writers' Building, led by Mamata Banerjee, described the police response as "unprovoked and unconstitutional", comparing it to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

September 2019: Protest Rally Against NRC

On September 12, 2019, Mamata Banerjee led a protest rally in Kolkata against the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, claiming it was a 'game plan' to 'divide and rule' Indians.

December 2019: Rally Against NRC and CAA

On December 26, 2019, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a massive rally against NRC and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) from Kolkata's Raja Bazar to Mullick Bazar, criticizing the Modi government.

January 2020: Anti-CAA Protests in Kolkata

In January 2020, Park Circus ground became a major venue for anti-CAA protests in Kolkata, with various personalities, politicians, and social activists joining. P. Chidambaram, Kabir Suman, Umar Khalid, and Yogendra Yadav expressed their support at the venue.

2021: Denied permission to attend international events

In 2021, Mamata Banerjee was invited to attend World Meeting for Peace in Rome, but in September, the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied her permission. In December of 2021, Banerjee was denied permission by the MEA to visit Nepal.

2023: Saradha Scam Allegations

Mamata Banerjee's tenure was marred by the Saradha Scam, involving financial embezzlement and scrutiny of her paintings being sold to firms involved. In 2023, one of her paintings was revealed to have been sold to Sudipto Sen for a large sum. During her tenure she challenged the federal system of India when she ordered the arrest of CBI officials, who arrived in Kolkata to investigate the Saradha Group financial scandal.

February 2024: Sandeshkhali Allegations and Arrest

In February 2024, women in Sandeshkhali village alleged sexual assault and rape by local Trinamool Congress leaders. Mamata Bannerjee was accused of protecting the accused. Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested on February 29, 2024, by the West Bengal police.

January 2026: ED Raids and Allegations of Obstruction

In January 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at I-PAC offices in Kolkata as part of a money-laundering probe. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the premises during the operation. The ED accused Banerjee and her party of removing documents and electronic devices, leading to allegations of obstruction of investigation and ongoing litigation.