80% Indians non-veg, how can BJP tell us what to eat?: Mamata Banerjee
Times of India | 21 April 2024
KOLKATA/MALDA: Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday questioned why the people of India, the majority of whom are non-vegetarians, should not have the right to make their own food choices. She questioned why multiple shops selling non-veg items were being shut in some states even as over 80% Indians consume animal protein.
"A few days ago, the PM asked why do you eat fish? They are asking why we consume eggs or chicken.Why should they be telling us what to eat? Have we said you cannot eat dhokla, idli, dosa or any delicacy of other states? Eighty per cent of the population eat animal protein. I have heard they are shutting down shops in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. And when UCC comes, you will not even know how to get your near one married. One man, one party will decide what you eat, what you will wear and how you will conduct yourself," alleged Banerjee while addressing a rally at Manikchak in Malda.
Earlier in the day, Banerjee attacked the EC, this time over the justification of holding elections from April to June in scorching summer. "Does not BJP feel the pain of the people in such heat? Still elections are held in such adverse weather. And that too till June even though earlier the elections used to be over by May 7-8," said Banerjee while addressing a rally at Malda's Gazole.
The CM claimed that the poll schedule had been decided to ensure that PM Narendra Modi could campaign multiple times across the country. "It is simply because Modi has to cover all the constituencies. He has no trouble as he travels in Army flight. But we have to stay in hotels at our own cost," Banerjee said, adding, "We follow the Model Code of Conduct but BJP never cares to do so."
Malda North constituency has over 3 lakh Matua population. Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur was present on the stage as CM Banerjee spoke on CAA: "As long as we are here, CAA or NRC won't be implemented in this state."
Attacking BJP MP Khagen Murmu, Banerjee said: "Ask him why people here did not get payments for 100 days' work or funds for Awas Yojana. Why was the MP silent on this issue?"
The chief minister claimed that pre-poll surveys were manufactured by BJP and NDA would not cross the 200-seat mark. "Where will they gain seats? Will they win seats in the south, Bihar, Delhi or Punjab? It was split verdict in Rajasthan and MP. Will they win seats in Tamil Nadu or Odisha? Will they fetch seats from Moger Muluk (anarchic state)?"
Regarding the stopping of NREGA funds, Banerjee said: "They (Centre) said there were malpractices. But despite sending several teams, they could not find any anomaly. Actually, there were malpractices in Bihar, Gujarat and UP. I challenge BJP to publish white paper on this issue."