Kolkata: Strong Stance on India-Pak Relations
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee made a bold statement on Monday, urging that India should refrain from engaging with Pakistan on any level, including sports. His remarks came just before he departed for Delhi to participate in the Parliament’s monsoon session.
Banerjee, who represents Diamond Harbour, expressed on social media, “Our only engagement with Pakistan should be on the battlefield, with the goal of reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.” His comments follow the announcement of the Asia Cup 2025 schedule, which has placed India and Pakistan in the same group, set to compete on September 14.
He emphasized that the idea of separating politics from sports must end, arguing that attempting to establish sporting ties with a country perceived as engaged in proxy wars is not diplomacy but a severe betrayal. He stated, “Let justice, not entertainment, be our aim. If there’s to be any match, it should be fought at the Line of Control, and PoK should be the only trophy sought.”
Referencing a recent attack in Pahalgam that resulted in multiple fatalities, he added, “Anything less would dishonor our martyrs and disrespect the victims of that tragedy. Period!”
In a later conversation at Kolkata airport, Banerjee reiterated that Trinamool MPs will speak in Bengali in Parliament. He accused BJP-governed states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh of systematically discriminating against Bengali people.
When asked about illegal immigration, he stated that managing borders is the responsibility of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force. He called for the resignation of the Union Home Minister and the heads of the BSF and Intelligence Bureau due to what he described as ongoing security failures.
Looking ahead to the next assembly elections in Bengal, Banerjee predicted that if the BJP continues with its current approach, the results in 2026 would be even more decisive than in previous elections. He warned, “Those causing hardship for the people of Bengal should remember — the lesson in 2026 will be even harsher.”
