New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra posted a video on Tuesday claiming that the “BJP goons” threatened the fish market sellers in Chittaranjan Park which is dominated by Bengalis. Her claim was backed by AAP MLA of the area, Saurabh Bharadwaj, who accused the BJP of creating problems. The BJP responded to the accusation, calling Mahua’s claim an attempt to disturb communal harmony in the area.
The clip posted by Mahua on the social media platform X showed a man in a saffron t-shirt saying, “All brothers are instructed that the market which is adjacent to the temple…this should not be here. The temple premises should be pure…just beside the temple’s wall is wrong. Sanatan Dharma tells us that we should not kill. Offering meat to deities is a myth and is not mentioned in the scriptures. This practice with the temple is hurting the sentiments of Sanatanis.”
Please watch saffron brigade BJP goons threaten fish-eating Bengalis of Chittaranjan Park, Delhi. Never in 60 years has this happened, residents say. pic.twitter.com/jt5NCQHo9i
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) April 8, 2025
When the vendors objected to the man saying that they had been permitted by DDA (Delhi Development Authority), he said that DDA would also come under fire. “DDA cannot go away with it. The mistakes of DDA would be corrected by us. Everyone will have to maintain the sanctity of the temple, as CR Park is a posh area and even foreigners come here.”
In the video, a vendor explained to the man that “When the market was opened, the temple was built by the market traders and has been open since then.”
Moitra further posted, “The temple in CR park that BJP goons laying claim to was built by the non-veg market vendors! They pray there – the big pujas are held there.3 months of a BJP govt in Delhi. Good anniversary present.”
She also posted a WhatsApp screenshot where a person messaged her in Bangla text which read, “Didi I saw your tweet about the closure of that fish shop. I live near CR Park. All the fish markets and meat shops here are closed today. Terrible situation.”
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questions BJP
Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP leader and a former three-time MLA from Greater Kailash where the CR Park area falls, also wrote about the issue, “These fish shops were allotted by the DDA. This is not any illegal encroachment. If the BJP had a problem with CR Park Bengalis eating fish, they should have said so in their manifesto.”
“Bengalis in CR Park are one of the most educated communities in Delhi. Their sentiments and eating habits must be respected. I am a vegetarian and I never had a problem with their eating habits. Why is the BJP creating problems in such a peaceful area?” he asked.
BJP responds to Mahua Moitra’s claim
The Delhi BJP President, Virendra Sachdeva responded to the allegations of Moitra’s said, “Everyone should respect the sanctity of temples. CR Park fish market traders have always respected temples. Fish markets have been legally allotted and they are the needs of the area. The fish traders maintain a high level of cleanliness in the area and take regular part in socio-religious activities of Chittaranjan Park.”
Attacking Mahua Moitra he said, “The video posted on social media by Mahua Moitra seems to have been tailored by people with vested political interests to disturb community harmony in CR Park.” He also condemned the matter and asked the Delhi Police to take necessary action.
