Kolkata/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday trained his guns at West Bengal's ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the alleged corruption, lawlessness and violence.

Addressing a rally in Alipurduar, Modi referred to the recent communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda, where hundreds of Hindus had to flee their home and take refuge elsewhere.

Modi tried to corner the TMC government, headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with almost a year ahead of the next assembly elections in the state.

'Murshidabad, Malda incidents show TMC's nirmamta'

Categorising various fronts in which he feels the state is suffering, Modi said, "West Bengal is grappling with a series of crises. The first is the widespread violence and lawlessness that are tearing apart the fabric of society. The second is the growing sense of insecurity among mothers and sisters, compounded by the horrific crimes being committed against them.

"The third is the deepening despair among the youth, driven by soaring unemployment and a lack of opportunities. The fourth is the pervasive corruption, which continues to erode public trust in the system. The fifth crisis stems from the self-serving politics of the ruling party, which is stripping the poor of their rightful entitlements. Incidents in Murshidabad and Malda are stark examples of the TMC government's cruelty and indifference to the people's suffering."

A report by a three-member fact-finding committee set up by the Calcutta High Court on the Murshidabad violence highlighted police's inactivity and involvement of a local Trinamool Congress councillor.

The committee in its report claimed police did not respond to calls from the locals when the miscreants were unleashing violence.

The submitted report said local TMC councillor Mehoob Alam had come with the miscreants on April 11.

"Local Councilor (Councillor) namely Mehoob Alam came with the miscreants on 11th April, 2025. MLA is also present on Friday, he saw the vandalism and went away. But the violence continued on 12th April, 2025, Saturday. A man named Amirul Islam came back to the village and saw which houses were not attacked and then the miscreants came and set fire to those house (s)," it said.

'Entire education system is deteriorating'

The Prime Minister has touched upon the School Service Commission (SSC) scam that has led to the annulment of over 25,000 jobs.

The Supreme Court has cancelled the entire 2016 recruitment panel as the government couldn't produce the separate lists of deserving and tainted candidates.

"The youth, poor, and middle-class families are bearing the brunt of corruption. We've seen how corruption leads to destruction, especially in the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam.

"The TMC government has ruined the future of thousands of teachers and their families. This is not just the destruction of a few thousand teachers, but the entire education system is deteriorating. Even now, they refuse to admit their mistakes, instead blaming the courts," the Prime Minister said.

'Operation Sindoor is our firm answer to terrorism'

In his first visit to West Bengal since the Indian Armed Forces conducted Operation Sindoor to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Modi said he could feel the "outrage" among the people of the state after 26 people were killed at Baisaran Valley.

The Prime Minister boasted of Operation Sindoor which he claimed as India's "firm answer" to terrorism, which is harboured by Pakistan since its inception in 1947.

He said, "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of Sindoor Khela, it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism — Operation Sindoor.

On April 22, the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam shook the nation. The pain and anger felt across West Bengal were deeply understood. I could feel your outrage. The terrorists dared to wipe off the sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters. But our brave soldiers made them realise the power of that sindoor."

"Pakistan, the country that nurtures terrorism, has nothing positive to offer to the world. Since its very inception, it has been a breeding ground for terror and violence. But India has changed. We no longer tolerate such cowardly acts. And Operation Sindoor is our firm answer," the supreme leader of the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) added.

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

On Pakistan's appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.