Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) during a massive rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday, using a popular Bengali song to highlight concerns over women’s safety and governance in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Referring to the song “Come home before dusk falls,” sung by Ishan Mitra in a Bengali film based on popular detective character the Byomkesh Bakshi, the Prime Minister said the lyrics — originally a heartfelt appeal for a loved one to return home safely — now reflect the fear felt by many women in Bengal.
“In Bengal today, girls are compelled to say, ‘Come home before dusk falls.' This is unthinkable,” Modi said, linking the remark to questions over law and order in the state. He added that to “remove this darkness,” people must place their trust in what he called “Modi’s Guarantee.”
The Prime Minister also referred to the controversy surrounding the rape and murder incident at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, saying the episode continues to resonate with people across the state. According to him, such incidents have intensified opposition sentiments against the state government.
Taking a swipe at the TMC’s slogan Ma, Mati, Manush (Mother, Land, People), PM Modi said the expectations that brought the party to power after the defeat of the CPI(M)-led Left Front had not been fulfilled. “After removing the Left Front, the people of Bengal brought the Trinamool to power with high hopes. But today, Bengal’s ‘Mother’ is distressed, her ‘Land’ is being plundered, and her ‘People’ are forced to leave the state,” he said.
From the stage at Brigade, Modi also referenced incidents of violence against women ranging from Sandeshkhali to the RG Kar controversy, alleging that the state government shields criminals. “The Trinamool has given space to goons and the mafia within its ranks. Every effort is made here to protect criminals,” he claimed.
Positioning the 2026 Assembly election as a decisive moment for the state, Modi said the contest would be more than a fight for political power. “This election is about saving the soul of Bengal,” he said.
The Prime Minister further described the upcoming polls as a vote to end what he called the twin evils of “cut-money” and fear, terms frequently used by the BJP to criticise the state government. Addressing the crowd at the “Brigade Chalo” rally, the Prime Minister claimed that the countdown for the TMC government’s exit had already begun.
“Once a BJP government is formed, development will reach everyone. At the same time, every wrongdoing will be accounted for. Those who intimidate people will face the rule of law. The place for criminals is jail,” Modi said.
Encouraging people not to give in to intimidation, he also invoked the words of Rabindranath Tagore, saying, “May I never fear in times of peril.”
Extending early greetings to the people of the state, the Prime Minister expressed hope that the call for change would reach every household in West Bengal, adding that such resolve would ensure the victory of its people.
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