Everyone has equal right to stay in Bengal: Mamata
Times of India | 29 October 2024
123 Kolkata: Cosmopolitan Kolkata was a chromosome of unity, where people of every religion, caste and creed lived in harmony, said chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday as she inaugurated a Kali Puja at Janbazar, and then, another puja on Shakespeare Sarani.
While she stressed unity, peace and harmony, Banerjee pointed out: "Some use this for their politics, and thus their acts are detrimental to the city. Some people will continue to criticise, too. You can criticise me but please do not try to bring a bad name to Bangla Ma… I urge everyone who lives here, make Bengal your very own. Treat this as your home. I can assure you that you will get everything here. Bengal is progressing, Kolkata is progressing. We are always together in Bengal. Everyone has an equal right to stay here. You must remember the colour of your blood is same as mine. There is no one who can challenge our unity."
Pointing at the works of greats, such as Gandhi, Tagore, Ambedkar and Rani Rashmoni, the CM said Bengal was making every effort to teach the next generation about their forefathers' sacrifices. "There would have been no freedom struggle or a renaissance without Bengal. I asked mayor Firhad Hakim to get a list of all those who were lodged at the Andaman Cellular Jail during the Independence movement. Eighty percent of all names are of Bengalis. Such is our united contribution to the nation," said Banerjee, who inaugurated three more Kali Pujas in the evening.
"Do not indulge in any mischief. There should not be any communal rioting. There should not be any rioting over bursting crackers. There should not be any trouble around Kali Puja, Chhath or Jagaddhatri Puja. All of us need to stay united. Remember, religion is one's own, but a festival is for all," Banerjee said.
The chief minister also urged all to refrain from bursting noisy or polluting fire-crackers and also asked people to ensure no one was injured. "I have seen people playing very loud music and bursting deafening fire-crackers. Remember senior citizens are deeply discomforted by this, though they can't always tell you. Young children and tiny tots tremble amid the noise. Do not burst crackers that can inflict pain on others. A rangmashal used by you should not inflict pain on another. Do remember all your pollution is also leading to the pollution of the heart. Be humane… Also, always ensure that when you are lighting candles or diyas or even cooking, you should tuck in your pallu so that it does not catch fire. This is the reason I am uncomfortable lighting candles at political programmes," she said.