West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday promised to resolve the concerns of minorities and assured them of her support in the wake of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Declaring that it was her policy to allow everyone to live, Banerjee said, “If others don’t have the right to take my property, similarly I have no right to take others’ property… They say I don’t give protection for the Hindu dharma in Bengal. If I don’t, then who does? I must also give credit to minorities that they have nicely celebrated Hindus festivals also in Bengal and I am proud to say that.”
She was addressing members of the Jain community during a programme organised to celebrate Navkar Mahamantra Day.
“I will say one thing to minorities… I know you are hurt… Trust me, in Bengal nothing will be done that leads to divide and rule,” Banerjee said, adding, “Don’t get restless. Look at the border situation in Bangladesh. If you do something hurriedly, it sometimes causes problems. Thirty-three per cent of our population in Bengal comprises minorities. Should I remove them? I cannot remove them. They are part of us. They are here from the time of Independence.”
“Before Independence, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India were one. It was only after Independence that it was divided. We didn’t divide. The leaders who were there did it. We took birth after ages. I feel it is our job to protect those who stay with us. It is my job to give protection to everyone,” she stated.
On Tuesday, stones were pelted and police vehicles set ablaze during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Jangipur, Murshidabad. Around 22 people were arrested in connection with the violence.
Without directly mentioning the violence, she appealed to minorities not to get instigated. “Some individuals may attempt to politically provoke you, urging you to assemble and initiate a movement. I implore you, do not do it. I assure you, while Didi is here, she will protect you and your property. Let us place our trust in one another. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve great things,” she said.
She implored people to stand together amid the economic turbulence in the world and the challenges faced by the nation. “…let us confront these difficulties together. We are proud of our country and our state. We respect all religions. Trust me when I say I am not against you. I stand with you. Believe me, I give you my sincere commitment. As a gesture of respect, a holiday has been declared in Bengal on Mahavir Ji’s birthday,” Banerjee said.
Extending her “good wishes to the brothers and sisters of Jain religion on Navkar Mahamantra Day”, the TMC supremo recited the Mahamantra – the most revered chant in Jainism – in Sanskrit, eliciting an emotional response from the audience.
The chief minister emphasised her respect for all religions and her dedication to inclusivity. “People ask me why I attend religious programmes of all faiths… You cannot take unity out of me. I meet people of all religions,” she said, adding, “If someone invites me during Ramzan, should I not go? If someone asks me not to attend Jain people’s programme, I will listen to them…”
She emphasised the importance of national unity, stating, “The country is not to be divided, it is to be united, everyone should live and let everyone live. I give equal respect to Hindus and minorities in Bengal.”
During the programme, Banerjee also highlighted the nation’s diverse cultural landscape, saying, “India’s uniqueness is that its different states have different languages, cultures and food preferences.” She also spoke about her efforts to address local issues, saying, “When I went to Parasnath temple (in Jharkhand), local residents there told me about their water-related issues. I solved the water problem there in seven days.”
Banerjee invited the attendees to upcoming inaugurations, and said, “All of you come to the inauguration of Kalighat Skywalk and Digha Jagannath Temple.” She also highlighted her government’s development initiatives, saying, “We have done development from Tarakeswar to Dakshineswar.”