Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the BJP-led UT government and Delhi Police, questioning the lack of arrests in the alleged threats against fish sellers in Delhi’s Chittaranjan Park (CR Park).
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows young men purportedly intimidating shopkeepers and demanding the closure of fish and meat shops near a temple in the predominantly Bengali neighborhood.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra has strongly condemned the incident, claiming that "BJP goons" were behind the threats. In a post on social media platform X, Moitra wrote, "Terrorising Hindu fishmongers into shutting legal shops next to a temple they built - BJP goons caught on video but not yet arrested. Hello Delhi Police - Or are we all supposed to eat dhoklas and chant Jai Shri Ram?"
In a video statement, the Krishnanagar MP further alleged, "You can see how in broad daylight, with complete impunity and audacity, the BJP's goons are threatening shopkeepers and telling them that you cannot have a shop here." She emphasized that the Bengali community is "proudly fish-eating" and noted that the temple in question was actually built by the local shopkeepers and business community.
Moitra questioned whether the BJP would dictate people's food choices, asking, "Is the BJP going to tell us that we have to eat dhoklas and say Jai Shri Ram three times a day?"
She also criticised the lack of arrests following the incident, suggesting there would be a different response if Muslims were involved.
Notably, TMC MP on Tuesday posted a video with the caption, "Please watch as saffron brigade BJP goons threaten fish-eating Bengalis of Chittaranjan Park, Delhi. Never in 60 years has this happened, residents say."
In another post, she, "The temple in CR Park that BJP goons are laying claim to was built by the non-veg market vendors. They pray there - the big pujas are held there. Three months of BJP rule in Delhi. A good anniversary present." In her third post, Mahua claimed, "WhatsApp message from a Bengali who lives near CR Park saying how terrible the situation is with the forcible closure of meat and fish shops."
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva had responded to the allegations, stating that everyone should respect the sanctity of temples while acknowledging that the fish market traders in CR Park have always shown respect to temples. He clarified that the fish markets were legally allocated and serve as a necessity for the area.
Sachdeva defended the fish traders, noting they maintain high standards of cleanliness and regularly participate in social and religious activities in CR Park. He suggested the video posted by Moitra appears to have been prepared by "politically self-interested people" to disrupt community harmony.
"We strongly condemn this incident and appeal to Delhi Police to take strict action," Sachdeva added.
Delhi Police have reportedly denied receiving any formal complaints about the incident but are investigating the matter.
