In the run-up to elections in , a political controversy broke out after Lok Sabha MP of the made remarks that appeared to draw regional divisions within India’s freedom movement, contrasting the roles of Gujaratis and Bengalis. Her comments drew swift criticism from netizens.
Addressing a press conference, Moitra said, “Bengalis are a very proud race. We led the war for independence against the British. Who were the Gujaratis? When you go to Kalapani, what do you see, 68% of the names of the people who were killed and incarcerated in Kala Pani were Bengalis, followed by Punjabis. Can you name me one Gujarati who was there, apart from your big hero, Veer Savarkar, who only wanted to sit and write apology letters? Please let us know.”
Soon after the statement went viral on social media, users were quick to rebut Moitra’s remarks, citing contributions of leaders such as , , and others.
A Twitter user named Dear Men wrote, “How can this sitting MP become so racist & provoke hate against entire Gujrati community? Do she not know contribution of their beloved Monhandas Gandhi & Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Who both were Gujrati. Hope Gujratis take note of how Congress/TMC hates them.”
Another user shared a long list of Gujarati-origin freedom fighters and said, “Mahua Moitra open your shit eyes and read the names those Gujaratis are here… who fought for india…. Dadabhai Naoroji — 1825 Shyamji Krishna Varma — 1857 Govind Guru — 1858 Abbas Tyabji — 1854 Bhikaji Cama — 1861 Imam Saheb Abdul Kadir Bavazir — 1863 Mahatma Gandhi — 1869 Kasturba Gandhi — 1869 Anasuya Sarabhai — 1885 Vithalbhai Patel — 1873 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — 1875 Morarji Desai — 1896 Hansa Mehta — 1897 Chhotubhai Purani — 1898 Gulzarilal Nanda — 1898 Balwantrai Mehta — 1900 Manibehn Patel — 1903 Ravishankar Maharaj — 1884 Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi — 1887 Jivraj Narayan Mehta — 1887 Swami Anand — 1887 Shankerlal Banker — 1889 Maganlal Gandhi — 1888 Narhari Parikh — 1891 Jugatram Dave — 1892 Indulal Yagnik — 1892 Mridula Sarabhai — 1911 Usha Mehta — 1920”
ofcourse. Either case it is upto Bengalis if they want to see her as some great contemporary representative of their ‘race’. Ridiculous statement this. But this kind of us vs them regional political parties of various hues exist in various parts of India. Anchor on one sub-identity and stretch the exceptionalist claims to make it appear as if the sub-identity is different from the uber overarching identity of India that is Bharat.”
Another user, Soumili Das, said, “If Bengalis have an ounce if self-respect, they will resist till the end of eternity this pseudohistorical mob called TMC, often whitewashed in ornamental English by folks like Mahua Moitra. So Mahua Moitra does not acknowledge the role of Mohandas Gandhi, if I’m not wrong? That means, she and her party reject the involvement of Gandhi in independence. If that’s what they do, ambitious. Second, Savarkar was a Marathi and a Chitpavan Brahmin. I wonder how pleased would Saket Gokhale be, at this. Do you support your party’s MP at not acknowledging the contributions of Marathis like the Savarkar brothers, Chaphekar brothers, BG Tilak and VB Phadke, Mr Gokhale? Bengalis should be audacious enough to through subnationalist mobs out.”