BJP Slams Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee Over "Judges Talk for TRPs" Comment on Rohingya Issue

The controversy between Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and BJP has escalated following Banerjee's remarks about judges speaking "to increase TRPs." This comment came after Chief Justice Surya Kant's statement regarding a 'red carpet' for Rohingya refugees, which prompted BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla to strongly criticize the Bengal politician.

In a video released on Tuesday, Poonawalla stated, "All limits have been crossed by the Trinamool, which has now attacked even the Supreme Court when the Chief Justice said 'Rohingyas cannot be given red carpets'.... something Mamata Banerjee endorsed in 2005. And now, Kalyan Banerjee said the Chief Justice of India's comment is a 'loose comment... it is for TRP'."

Poonawalla countered by asserting, "Actually, it is not for TRP. It is for your VRP – 'vote bank rating point'," directly accusing the Trinamool Congress of engaging in vote bank politics.

The BJP spokesperson further intensified his criticism by referencing previous controversies involving Banerjee, including his mimicry of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, which had caused significant backlash.

"Kalyan Banerjee is the same one who made a mimicry of the former Vice President and mocked the position... This is the same Trinamool that said the Election Commission will face consequences if they conduct a SIR in Bengal," Poonawalla continued.

He added, "They threatened to break the hands and legs of EC officials. They are the ones who attack institutions like CBI and NIA... the same who threatened security persons for their vote bank."

Poonawalla concluded his criticism by alleging, "And now they are putting vote bank politics... championing the rights of 'ghuspetiyas' and Rohingyas. They love 'ghuspetiyas and Rohingyas so much they will attack even constitutional institutions."

The BJP's response followed Banerjee's controversial statement that "judges these days talk too much." The Trinamool MP had remarked, "Earlier, judges were seen talking less... were seen talking only when delivering judgments. But now the trend has changed. Nowadays, judges talk more to increase TRPs, but they don't deliver judgments. This is the biggest problem today."

Banerjee's comments were triggered by Chief Justice Surya Kant's remarks during a hearing about five missing Rohingya refugees, where the Chief Justice had questioned, "Should we roll out the red carpet for them? They are infiltrators?" In response to these judicial comments, Banerjee had stated, "It doesn't behove us to respond; he is the Chief Justice. I believe no judge should make loose comments."