A political row broke out in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday during Question Hour after BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya raised the issue of large scale encroachment on land belonging to Kolkata Port and referred to remarks allegedly made by a Kolkata mayor and a Trinamool Congress MLA describing the area as “mini Pakistan”.

Bhattacharya’s comments triggered sharp protests from opposition members, particularly from the Trinamool Congress, leading to repeated interruptions in the House and forcing the Chair to intervene.

Government Admits Encroachment, Cites Legal Hurdles

Responding to the question, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur acknowledged that a substantial portion of Kolkata Port Trust land has indeed been encroached upon. He informed the House that cases have been filed in courts to reclaim the land, but said authorities have so far been unable to get the encroached areas vacated.

The admission added to the intensity of the debate, with opposition MPs arguing that the issue was being given a communal colour rather than being addressed as an administrative and legal problem.

Opposition Demands Expunction Of Remark

As the discussion escalated, Trinamool Congress MPs entered the aisle in protest. Fauzia Khan urged the Rajya Sabha Chairman to expunge the phrase “mini Pakistan” from the proceedings, calling it objectionable and inappropriate for parliamentary records.

The Chair appealed for order and sought to continue Question Hour, but disruptions continued for several minutes as opposition members pressed their objections.

Sharp Political Exchange In The House

Adding a sarcastic note to the debate, CPM MP John Brittas quipped that if Bhattacharya described the area as “mini Pakistan”, then “Islamabad will demand that territory”. His remark drew reactions from both sides of the House.

The episode underlined ongoing political tensions between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress over issues related to West Bengal, with the encroachment of public land becoming entangled in a larger political and ideological confrontation.

Despite the disruption, the Chair eventually moved the House forward, though the issue is expected to continue generating political debate both inside and outside Parliament.

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