West Bengal Minister Resigns Amid Officer Threat Controversy

West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri Resigns Amid Controversy

In a dramatic turn of events, West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri has resigned following a significant uproar over his threatening remarks toward a woman officer. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing Giri verbally abusing District Forest Officer (DFO) Manisha Shau.

Threatening Remarks Against Officer Lead to Resignation

The incident occurred at an anti-encroachment site of the forest department, where Giri was filmed threatening Shau. In the video, Giri is heard saying, “If you interfere in this issue again, I will ensure that you won’t be able to return,” and added, “Mend your way, or else I will beat you with a stick.” This altercation quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism and leading to a call for Giri’s resignation from his party.

Giri’s Stance on Apology and Party Pressure

Amid intense scrutiny and political backlash, the Trinamool Congress demanded Giri both resign and apologize to the officer. Giri complied with the resignation request but refused to issue an apology. In a statement to India Today TV, Giri expressed regret for his harsh words but insisted that Shau was at fault for the incident. He clarified, “There is no question of apologizing. Should I apologize only because I am sorry? My party did not ask me to apologize; they only asked me to resign from the ministry, which I have already done.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Response

When asked about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s involvement, Giri mentioned there was no direct instruction from her to apologize. According to Giri, Banerjee learned about the incident through TV news and communicated through Subrata Bakshi to resign, without explicitly demanding an apology.

Background of Previous Controversy Involving Giri

This resignation is not Giri’s first brush with controversy. In 2022, he faced severe backlash for derogatory remarks about President Droupadi Murmu. The backlash led Mamata Banerjee to issue an apology on his behalf, highlighting Giri’s repeated issues with public statements.