Kolkata: On the seventh anti-NRC and CAA rally and protest taken out in the city on Thursday by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP is spreading hatred and communalism across the country. She also accused the saffron camp of intentionally trying to confuse the common people residing in the country for ages.
Addressing the protest rally that started at Rajabazar and culminated at Mullick Bazar, Banerjee slammed the BJP-led state governments for persecuting the student community. She also urged the students to continue with their protests without fear.
“This government is even persecuting students. I have heard they have even shut down all students’ hostels in Delhi. They are afraid of this movement. I will request the students not to get scared. They are the future of the country. It is their right to protest. No one can stop them,” said Banerjee.
“We will continue this peaceful protest until they withdraw NRC and CAA. We will follow the ideology of peaceful protests, as Mahatma Gandhi did. In several BJP-ruled states, protestors have been killed. In Karnataka, the state government backtracked on their promise of providing financial compensation to the family of those who lost their lives during this movement. If you make a promise, you should keep it. They are liars,” she said.
While the protest against NRC had began in Bengal under civil society, and they even questioned Bengal chief minister for holding National Population Register (NPR) training, now Banerjee is upfront in the protest against CAA and NRC. For last one week, she protested everyday except December 25, Christmas Day.
Bengal is the first state where state government has announced that they will not conduct both NRC and NPR in the state.
“In Bengal, we are doing politics of love instead of hatred. We are protesting together and the protest will continue in a democratic way as long as the new citizenship law is not withdrawn, and till the BJP stops playing with fire. They are saying they will take action against people who are protesting. We also have laws. We are warning them. In many states, other parties are in power. If they start doing the same against BJP, they will be in problem. They cannot even provide roti-kapda-makaan, but can only deliver bhashan,” mentioned the TMC supremo.
Marching with thousands of ruling Trinamool Congress workers and supporters, the TMC supremo said, “The saffron camp leaders and ministers are lying and creating confusion. I am not aware of my father’s birthday and where is he from. Even if someone kills me for not knowing the same, I cannot provide the information. When I can’t say it, how will the others like me will be able to provide?”
At the culminating point, Banerjee also mentioned that the protest is not just for Hindus or the Muslims but for humanity.
“In Bengal, we are doing politics of love instead of hatred. We are protesting together and the protest will continue in a democratic way as long as the new citizenship law is not withdrawn, and till the BJP stops playing with fire. They are saying they will take action against people who are protesting. We also have laws. We are warning them. In many states, other parties are in power. If they start doing the same against BJP, they will be in problem. They cannot even provide roti-kapda-makaan, but can only deliver bhashan,” mentioned the TMC supremo.
Further taking potshots, Banerjee hinted at BJP supporters in disguise trying to incite violence amid peaceful protest rallies. She has been hinting the same at every rally that she has addressed since December 19, when six youth with Sangh Parivar link were arrested in Murshidabad for throwing stones on trains. The accused individuals were sporting lungi and skull-caps when they pelted stones.
“If people lose their faith in a government then they cannot remain in power. The country has given us everything. Now it is our duty to protect it. If you join BJP you get a lot of money. If you refuse their offer, they will send you to jail,” she thundered from the podium which had been set in front of the Christian burial ground, which is the last resting place of Michael Madhusudhan Dutt, Dinabandhu Andrews, and Leslie Claudius to name a few.
She added, “They are spreading fake news and fake videos to incite violence. No one should fall into their trap.” He speech was followed by blowing of conch shells and beating of dhaak and incessant slogans of ‘No CAB, No NRC’ and her trademark – Amra Kara? Nagorik (Who are we? Citizens).
