On 26th April (Sunday), the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has taken a suo motu cognisance of a video clip that was shown on a Bengali news channel in which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee used the disparaging “Ch*m*r” word against members of the Scheduled Caste community. Notably, the development has transpired during assembly elections in the state and just days before Phase II voting which is scheduled to be on 29th April (Wednesday).
The body stated, “On 23rd April, while addressing an election rally at Chowringhee in Kolkata in support of a TMC candidate, Mamata Banerjee, while explaining the work done by her government, used a term considered derogatory towards the SC community in the Janbazar area.”
According to the commission, uttering a casteist slur in a demeaning manner is considered an insult to the community and referred to the occurrence as “shameful,” highlighting that it could be subjected to regulations under Section 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The body emphasised that such remarks are “not only objectionable but also constitute a punishable offence under Section 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.”
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged derogatory use of the word “Chamar” by Mamata Banerjee against the Scheduled Caste community during an election rally at Chowringhee on 23 April 2026. https://t.co/yEWLBKNoeN
— National Commission for Scheduled Castes (@NCSC_GoI) April 26, 2026
“Whereas Suo-Moto Cognisance has been taken by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes on a video appeared in Kolkata TV dated 26.04.2026 wherein derogatory language has been used by Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, against SC community, Incident location: West Bengal, as enclosed and the commission has decided to investigate/inquire into the matter in pursuance of the powers conferred upon in under Article 338 of the Constitution of India,” read the official notification.
The notices which have been sent by the commission’s director Sonali Dutta to West Bengal Chief Secretary and Director General of Police ordered a thorough report within three days and also warned that non-compliance could lead to invocation of “the powers of Civil Courts conferred on it under Article 338 of the Constitution of India and issue summons for your appearance in person or by a representative before the commission.”
The commission “will not tolerate caste-based insults at any level” and is dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights and dignity of the Scheduled Castes, according to NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana. He characterised the statements as “unfortunate” and observed that there has been an increase in atrocities and violence against the community in the state.
