Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee took aim at the central government on Tuesday as India celebrated Eid, saying Bengal provides an example for the country in terms of communal unity. “There is no other place in the country that is giving such an example of unity as Bengal.” That is why they are envious of you. And that’s why they abuse us,” the Bengal chief minister added, seemingly referring to the BJP, which is in power at the federal level.
Abhishek Banerjee, her nephew, joined her on stage as she spoke to people praying on Kolkata’s Red Road.
“Atmosphere of the country is not good. The policy of divide and rule is not good.. the isolation policy is not good…we want unity.Do not be scared and keep on fighting,” the 67-year-old leader said, quoting a line from a prayer in Hindi: “Ishwar allah tero naam sabko sanmati de bhagwan”: (May god help in l,etting better sense prevail).”
The Bengal chief minister’s comments come as the country celebrates both the Muslim Eid and the Hindu Akshaya Tritya on the same day.
Bengal was one of the states that suffered violence during Ram Navami Jayanti processions last month.
On the eve of Eid, violence erupted in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur, forcing chief minister Ashok Gehot to call for calm.
Among the injured are four cops, according to reports. To maintain law and order, the internet has been disabled.
Banerjee, a vocal critic of the BJP, has been working to unite the opposition ahead of the 2024 elections.
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