On May 3, a video of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went viral on social media where she was addressing the crowd on the occasion of Eid. During her address, she said something that sounded like ‘Kafir’. She said, “Let them do what they want. We are not scared. We are not cowards. We are not ‘Kafir’ [possibly]. We fight. We know how to fight. We will fight against them. We will finish them.”
#WATCH | West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses people at Red Road in Kolkata on the occasion of #EidUlFitr
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2022
“Good days will come…we are not scared, we know how to fight,” says Mamata Banerjee pic.twitter.com/t09QLyOGZG
Netizens were in disbelief as the video went viral. Many expressed their concern over a sitting CM using the word in a public address. Interestingly, Banerjee, who prefers to speak in Bangla most of the time, gave the statement in Hindi that also added up to the speculations that she allegedly wanted to give a message to those who “do not speak Bangla”.
Swarajya Magazine’s author Satish Viswanathan pointed out it was concerning that a sitting CM used a public platform to say ‘hum kafir nahi hain’. He said, “A sitting CM says “Hum Kafir nahin hai” on a public platform. For centuries, the pejorative has been used to dehumanize Hindus and justify violence against the community. The Overton window has definitely shifted with regards to normalization of violence against Hindus.”
A sitting CM says “Hum Kafir nahin hai” on a public platform. For centuries, the pejorative has been used to dehumanize Hindus and justify violence against the community.
— Satish Viswanathan (@satishv1987) May 3, 2022
The Overton window has definitely shifted with regards to normalization of violence against Hindus. https://t.co/TWalOFi6JO
Twitter user _Agnijwala_ said, “Speech in Hindi..to woo whom? But will constantly attack obangalis & call them goons brought from neighbouring states. She literally said, “Hum kafir nahi hai”.. waiting for @BanglaPokkho to rephrase & say that she meant “Hum musafir nehi hai.”
Speech in Hindi..to woo whom?
— ঘোররূপা (@_Agnijwala_) May 3, 2022
But will constantly attack obangalis & call them goons brought from neighbouring states. She literally said “Hum kafir nahi hai”.. waiting for @BanglaPokkho to rephrase & say that she meant “Hum musafir nehi hai “. Banglar meye 🤡🤲
Cc @Gaudadhipati
Another Twitter user Mr Sinha said, “We aren’t coward, we aren’t Kafirs, we will fight against them, we will finish them” – Mamata Banerjee. For those who don’t know, “Kafir” is a slur used by radical I$Iamists against Hindus.. Their book says Kafirs don’t deserve to live.”
“We aren’t coward, we aren’t Kafirs, we will fight against them, we will finish them” – Mamata Banerjee
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) May 3, 2022
Those who don’t know “Kafir” is a slur used by radical I$Iamists against Hindus.. Their book says Kafirs don’t deserve to live.. pic.twitter.com/QDtMwU4pfe
Twitter user Shivani Sahay said, “Why she is not speaking Bengali? Why she is saying “hum kafir nahi hain” (we are not infidels)? She need not say this on behalf of all the infidel, people not of any book, on our behalf. Her kowtowing to violent radicalized constituencies does not bode well for West Bengal.”
Why she is not speaking Bengali? Why she is saying “hum kafir nahi hain” (we are not infidels)? She need not say this on behalf of all the infidel, people not of any book, on our behalf. Her kowtowing to violent radicalized constituencies does not bode well for West Bengal. https://t.co/LenIwU4vr8
— Shivani Sahay (@Savitri4Ever) May 3, 2022
Some netizens said she was subtly showing her “true religion”. Shivangi said, “Finally Mamata Banerjee declares her true religion.. in the speech she is praising Khuda, Aman etc. n saying “Hum Kafir Nahi Hain”. N Bengali Hindus are busy bashing BJP!”
Finally @MamataOfficial declares her true religion.. in the speech she is praising Khuda, Aman etc n saying “Hum Kafir Nahi Hain”. N Bengali Hindus are busy bashing BJP! https://t.co/O1em2Ag3UA
— Bhargavi.. (@smna17) May 3, 2022
Adhik Burman said, “Hum darte nhi hai,Hum Kafir nhi hai?? This is how Hatred and Abuse against Hindus are being Mainstreamed by Anti humanitarian evil Islamist and Abhrahmic fascist forces. Bengali people? Wake up.. What’s wrong with your choice. Sick of so much hatred against Hindus.”
Hum darte nhi hai,Hum Kafir nhi hai?? This is how Hatred and Abuse against hindus is being Mainstreamed by Anti humanitarian evil islamist and Abhrahmic fascist forces..
— Adhik Burman (@AdhikBurman) May 3, 2022
Bengali people? Wake up.. What’s wrong with your choice..
Sick of so much hatred against hindus.. https://t.co/G59jb7mxk0
Political Commentator Sunanda Vashisht said,” ‘We aren’t Kafirs’ – Did Mamata really say that? Who is not a kafir? Mamata is not a kafir anymore?”
‘We aren’t Kafirs’ – Did Mamata really say that? Who is not a kafir? Mamata is not a kafir anymore? https://t.co/7JLeYHLoFS
— Sunanda Vashisht (@sunandavashisht) May 3, 2022
A few netizens said with the history of mispronouncing words even in Bangla, it was difficult to be 100% sure about what she said during the address. Twitter user Coolfunnyshirt said, “Did she actually say that? uska pronunciation ka legendary problem hai waise.. in every language..”
did she actually say that? uska pronunciation ka legendary problem hai waise.. in every language..
— Keh Ke Peheno 🆒😆👕 (@coolfunnytshirt) May 3, 2022
Though it is unclear what West Bengal CM said during her address, she has a history of making controversial statements. Not to forget, during state elections, she used to the slogan “Khela Hobe“, which was commemorated on Direct Action Day. Given such history, no one should be surprised if she actually used the word ‘kafir’ and said, ‘we are not cowards and know how to fight’.
