Army Dismantles TMC Stage at Maidan; Mamata Accuses BJP of Misusing Forces

Kolkata:A new flashpoint erupted in Bengal politics on Monday when the Indian Army dismantled a Trinamool Congress (TMC) stage set up near the Gandhi statue at the Maidan. The action sparked sharp protests from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who accused the BJP of “misusing the Army for political purposes.”

The incident unfolded around 2.15 pm when over 100 Army personnel arrived at the protest site and began taking down the makeshift pandal. They climbed the structure, cut ropes, and removed banners, some of which carried the CM’s image. The dismantling lasted about 25 minutes.

The stage had been used by TMC and other groups for protests against what they call the “harassment of Bengalis” in BJP-ruled states under the guise of identifying illegal immigrants. Mamata had launched the *Bhasha Andolan* agitation from the same venue in July, and weekend protests had continued since then.

According to the Army, permission for events at the Maidan is granted only for two days at a time, as per Supreme Court guidelines. The stage, however, had been standing for almost a month. The Army said reminders to the organisers and Kolkata Police had gone unanswered, which led to Monday’s action.

Mamata reached the site soon after and accused the BJP of directing the Army to act against her party. “I respect our Army and its uniform, but I am deeply hurt that it has been forced into political work,” she said. She alleged that the Army disconnected microphones, removed her banners, and pulled down the stage “at BJP’s instructions.”

Calling the action “unconstitutional and undemocratic,” she rejected the Army’s explanation as “nonsense” and questioned why party leaders or police were not consulted. “I don’t need Modi’s permission to hold a protest. I work with the people’s permission,” she said.

TMC leaders said they had deposited Rs 20,000 and obtained Army approval for the protests. They argued that dismantling and rebuilding the stage every week was both costly and impractical.

Mamata announced that the protests would now continue at Dorina Crossing but insisted that her party had every right to hold programmes near the Gandhi statue. “Who decides law and order here—the Army or the police? This is the state’s responsibility, not Delhi’s,” she said.