Kolkata: Cosmopolitan Kolkata was a chromosome of unity, where people of every religion, caste and creed lived in harmony, said CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday as she inaugurated a Kali Puja at Janbazar, and then, another puja on Shakespeare Sarani.
Banerjee pointed out: “Some use this for their politics, and 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 together in Bengal. Everyone has an equal right to stay here. No one will ask you here whether you have veg or non-veg food. You must remember the colour of your blood is same as mine. There is no one who can challenge our unity.”
The CM said Bengal was trying to teach the next generation about their forefathers’ sacrifices. “There would have been no freedom struggle or a renaissance without Bengal...” said the CM, who opened three more Kali Pujas.
“Do not indulge in any mischief. There should not be any communal riots or any fight over crackers. There should not be any trouble around Kali Puja, Chhath or Jagaddhatri Puja. Religion is one’s own, but a festival is for all,” Banerjee said. She urged all to refrain from bursting noisy or polluting fire-crackers and asked people to ensure no one was injured.