Complaint filed against Bengal BJP leader for hate speech

The Trinamool Congress Friday lodged a police complaint against Dudh Kumar Mondal, the BJP's Birbhum district president in West Bengal, who has threatened to chop off the hands of Trinamool activists.

While the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued him a show-cause notice, the ruling Trinamool lodged the complaint against Dudh Kumar's vitriolic speech which he made Thursday at a party meeting in Rampurhat in Birbhum.

"Large number of people are joining the BJP and participating in party rallies and meetings, which has irked the Trinamool goons who are now going from house-to-house threatening our people. I warn them, I don't want violence, but if they don't withdraw boys, I will cut off their hands," Dudh Kumar reportedly said.

Referring to Anubrata Mondal and Trinamool legislator from Labhpur Monirul Islam - both of whom are infamous for hate speeches and have been accused of murder - Dudh Kumar said: "We are not Anubrata Mondal or Monirul Islam, but we will not tolerate threats."

Anubrata Mondal, who earlier incited party workers to resort to violence against independent candidates and hurl bombs at police, replying to Dudh Kumar's comments said: "Trinamool activists have iron hands, no one can chop them off."

Earlier, Anubrata threatened to chop off the wrists of Congress workers if they tore hoardings bearing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pictures or beat up his party members.

Islam, who earlier publicly threatened to behead a Congress leader, refused to react to Dudh Kumar's comments.

Condemning Dudh Kumar for his comments, BJP national secretary and party in-charge for the state S.N. Singh assured people steps would be taken against the vitriolic speech.

"We strongly condemn his comments and the state unit has already show-caused him. If needed, the party will not hesitate in taking stern action against him," Singh said.

Trinamool leader and chairman of the Rampurhat municipality Ashwini Tiwari Friday filed a police complaint against Dudh Kumar.

"We have received a complaint and we are looking into it," said a police officer.