Mahabharata in Bengal: Why Mamata Called Amit Shah "Dushasana"

The political temperature in West Bengal hit a boiling point on December 29, 2025, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing personal attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Addressing a massive public rally in Bankura, Banerjee characterized Shah as "Dushasana," the infamous villain from the Mahabharata known for disrobing Draupadi. "A Dushasana has come to Bengal. As soon as the elections come, Dushasana and Duryodhana start appearing... they are disciples of Shakuni," she declared. The furious rhetoric marks the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 Assembly Election campaign, positioning the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as the defender of Bengal’s dignity against "invading" mythological evils.

The Context (How We Got Here)

The outburst was a direct retaliation to Amit Shah’s three-day tour of the state, where he accused the TMC government of encouraging infiltration for "vote bank politics" and refusing land for border fencing. Banerjee not only deflected these charges but launched a counter-offensive on national security. She pivoted sharply to recent terror incidents, asking, "If you are so efficient, why did the Pahalgam attack happen? Why did the Delhi car blast occur?" By questioning the Home Minister’s competence on his own turf (security), she aimed to neutralize his attacks on Bengal’s law and order.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

Mamata Banerjee (The Defender): By invoking "Dushasana," Banerjee—the nation's only female Chief Minister—is deftly using a gendered metaphor. She frames Shah’s political aggression not just as opposition, but as a predatory assault on the modesty and dignity of "Mother Bengal."
Amit Shah (The Challenger): His strategy is to paint the TMC as a threat to national security via infiltration. However, his presence is now being mythologized by the TMC as an "evil visitation" that only happens during election season.
Abhishek Banerjee (The Mobilizer): While Mamata handles the rhetoric, her nephew is leading the ground-level protests against the "SIR" (Special Intensive Revision) of voter rolls, which the TMC alleges is a tool to delete minority voters.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While mainstream coverage focuses on the "slur war," the deeper story is the "Draupadi Narrative." In Indian politics, comparing a rival to Dushasana is not a generic insult; it is a specific accusation of violating dignity. Mamata is positioning herself (and Bengal) as Draupadi—the victim of a powerful, malevolent force from Delhi. This resonates deeply in rural Bengal, where the "daughter of the soil" vs. "outsider" narrative is potent.

Additionally, the "Security Pivot" is a strategic masterstroke. Instead of defensively explaining border infiltration (a state subject tangled with central forces), she attacked the Centre’s failure to prevent terror in Kashmir and Delhi (central subjects). This forces the BJP to defend its national security record rather than just attacking Bengal’s.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

This rhetoric signals that the 2026 campaign will be fought on visceral, cultural lines rather than just policy. By using Hindu mythological references to attack the BJP, Mamata is attempting to reclaim the "Hindu card" on her own terms, proving she knows the scriptures better than the "Shakuni disciples." Expect this "Dushasana" label to stick in TMC posters and chants for the next six months.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If the Home Minister is "Dushasana" and the Chief Minister is "Draupadi," who is playing the role of Krishna in Bengal's 2026 Mahabharata?

FAQs

Why did Mamata Banerjee call Amit Shah Dushasana? Mamata Banerjee called Amit Shah "Dushasana" during a rally in Bankura on December 29, 2025, to characterize him as a "villainous invader" who comes to Bengal only to cause destruction during elections. The metaphor draws from the Mahabharata, implying that Shah's political aggression is akin to Dushasana's assault on Draupadi's dignity.

What is the Dushasana and Duryodhana reference in Bengal politics? It is a recurring metaphor used by Mamata Banerjee to describe BJP leaders Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. By labeling them "Duryodhana and Dushasana" (the primary villains of the Mahabharata), she positions the TMC as the righteous side fighting against "evil" forces that seek to humiliate and destroy Bengal.

What is the SIR controversy in West Bengal 2025? The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process of updating electoral rolls. The TMC alleges that the BJP-led central government is using this exercise to deliberately delete the names of minority and lower-caste voters (like Matuas) in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections, a claim the BJP denies.

Sources

News Coverage

Context & Background

West Bengal West Bengal Elections 2026

Brajesh Mishra Associate Editor

Brajesh Mishra is an Associate Editor at BIGSTORY NETWORK, specializing in daily news from India with a keen focus on AI, technology, and the automobile sector. He brings sharp editorial judgment and a passion for delivering accurate, engaging, and timely stories to a diverse audience.