Govt clear on UCC, we respect all cultures, MP’s views personal: TMC
Times of India | 6 February 2025
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress on Wednesday distanced itself from statements made by party MP Shatrughan Sinha, who said non-vegetarian food should be banned, and that the Uniform Civil Code is good but should only be implemented after consultations with all parties. The party also chose to describe MP and actor Rachna Banerjee's praise for the Kumbh Mela as her "personal opinion."
Sinha, the two-time Asansol MP, speaking to ANI, said, "At first glance, whatever happened in Uttarakhand is commendable. The Uniform Civil Code should definitely be there. I believe there should be an all-party meeting on UCC. I also believe if it is done after discussions and meetings with everyone's inputs, the outcome will be positive."
"You have banned beef at many places, this is right. If you ask me, I'll say why only beef, you should also ban non-veg. You have banned beef in some places and have not done so in other places," he added.
Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh told reporters, "We have a clear policy on this (UCC). The Trinamool Congress gives importance and respect to all religions, cultures and customs. If anyone says anything beyond this, the party will not react to their personal statements. We have repeatedly said this, our party leader (CM Mamata Banerjee) has also said this, that what people will eat, what people will wear is their personal choice and we have no business speaking on it. Everyone has their right. What I will eat, or wear, will be decided by me. This cannot be imposed on me based on rules, or laws. If anyone has spoken anything to the contrary, it is their personal view. We will not speak beyond this."
Earlier, Trinamool MP and actor Rachna Banerjee posted on her social media handle that it was her "persistent aspiration to visit and have a shahi snan in Sangam", after visiting Prayagraj.
"I cannot comment on any statement taken out of context and which is a personal opinion. The Yogi Adityanath govt has failed miserably to ensure people's security in Kumbh. People's bodies were sent without any postmortem or death certificates. That they failed is proven in the repeated accidents taking place in Kumbh," said Ghosh.