PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi speaking on the occasion of 75th Independence Day.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying that Bengal’s martyred freedom fighter Matangini Hazra was from Assam.

Matangini Hazra was shot dead by the Indian police under the British regime in front of Tamluk police station (now under East Midnapore district) in Bengal on September 29, 1942 as she was leading a protest organised as a part of the Quit India movement.

PM Modi actually mixed up martyred freedom fighter Kanaklata Barua from Assam with Matangini Hazra.

Kanaklata Barua, an activist of the Indian freedom movement, was shot dead by the Indian police under the British while leading a procession bearing the National Flag during the 1942 Quit India Movement.

On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, Modi in his speech from the rampart of Red Fort on Sunday was talking about the contributions of the women in the struggle for freedom of the country.

While taking the names of some of the prominent women freedom fighters, PM Modi said “…apna Assam-me Matangini Hazra ki parakram ho…” (the courage of Matangini Hazra of our Assam).

Saying that Matangini Hazra is a freedom fighter from Bengal, TMC tweeted:  “Matangini Hazra is a freedom fighter from Bengal, Mr.@narendramodi! With such scant regard for our glorious history, you have insulted all of #Bengal once again.”

“Is@BJP4India committed to erasing our history? Mocking it as they please? SHAME,” it wrote.

“Matangini Hazra from Assam? R u mad? U don’t know history. U have no feelings. You just read a written speech ( that also by others) with drama. This is insult to Bengal. You must beg apology. Hope Your LOP from East Midnapore will also condemn such a mistake,” tweeted TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh.

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh, however, described the PM’s faux pas as a “small mistake”.

“Thousands of people laid down their lives for the freedom of the country. The PM may have erred in saying Matangini Hazra was from Assam. It is not a big deal,” a media report quoted Dilip Ghosh as saying.