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Crime, law and justice
Mahua Moitra alleges eggs thrown at her car during meeting, takes swipe at SC judge
Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra's car was pelted with eggs during a party meeting in Nadia amid protests by alleged BJP workers. The incident revived her earlier courtroom exchange with Justice Dipankar Datta over security concerns.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra faced protests and an egg attack during a party meeting in West Bengal's Nadia district, with BJP workers and supporters allegedly raising "go back" slogans and waving black flags as she arrived at the venue.
The incident took place when Moitra had gone to attend a political meeting in her Krishnanagar constituency. The protest soon escalated into a clash between supporters of the Trinamool Congress and BJP. Eggs were thrown at the MP's car amid the confrontation, triggering tension in the area.
Following the incident, Moitra took to X and directly addressed Supreme Court Justice Dipankar Datta, referring to observations he had made during an earlier hearing concerning her plea for protection against attacks.
'I FACED THEM LIKE A FREEDOM FIGHTER'
In her post, Moitra thanked Justice Datta in a sarcastic reference to his earlier observation. "Big shout out to Hon’ble Justice Dipankar Datta! MiLord - I came to my constituency for a mtng informing @WBPolice & BJP workers with their help pelted eggs on me. True to your advice I faced them as a freedom fighter faced bullets," she wrote.
She also shared a video message in which she repeated the reference to the judge's remarks, saying she had informed the police before attending the meeting and that the eggs were thrown at her with the police's help.
Moitra had earlier faced a similar egg-throwing incident in Krishnanagar and subsequently approached the courts seeking protection.
According to the report, she first moved the Calcutta High Court in connection with a police summons in a hate speech case but did not get relief. She later approached the Supreme Court, seeking protection against possible attacks, including egg-throwing incidents.
During the hearing, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Shil Nagur questioned the security concerns raised on Moitra's behalf.
The bench observed that India's freedom fighters had faced bullets for the country and said it was inappropriate to approach the Supreme Court seeking protection over fears of a minor attack.
West Bengal minister and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul condemned the incident, saying throwing eggs, shoes or abusing someone was not part of BJP culture. "Mahua Moitra may have insulted Maa Kali, insulted Hinduism, and insulted our Modi ji. It may be so. But throwing eggs at any citizen, and her being a woman, or protesting against her in this manner is not our culture," Paul said.
Paul also wished TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee well, despite their political differences, and prayed for his speedy recovery. "Irrespective of different political ideologies, as citizens of our country, we wish him well. May he recover as soon as possible," Paul said.
PAUL QUESTIONS BENGAL HEALTHCARE DURING TMC RULE
She, however, questioned why Banerjee had to go outside Bengal for healthcare when the Trinamool Congress government had been in power in the state for 15 years.
Paul said the state government had promised to build 42 super-speciality hospitals and had also introduced the Swasthya Saathi health scheme.
"You ruled Bengal for 15 years. You said that you would build 42 super-speciality hospitals, not speciality, but super-speciality hospitals. So, after building super-speciality hospitals and creating the Swasthya Saathi card, why did you have to go outside?" she said.
According to Paul, arrangements for Banerjee's treatment could have been made in Bengal itself. She said that seeking healthcare outside the state amounted to an "insult" to Bengal.
"We could have made the arrangements here. Today, you are going outside for healthcare; you are insulting Bengal by doing this," she said.