Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday invoked “Bangla-asmita” as she began inaugurating Durga Puja events a day before Mahalaya, the close of the pitripaksha period.

Speaking at the opening of the Sri Bhumi Sarbojanin Durgotsav, patronised by state fire minister Sujit Basu, Banerjee criticised the reported harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states and defended their right to work without discrimination.

“I always respect other languages. I cannot agree with the harassment of our workers who speak in Bengali in other states. They are specialised workers and that is why they are hired in different states,” she said, noting that about 22 lakh people from Bengal work outside the state while more than 1.5 crore workers from other states come to Bengal for work. “We also respect them. That is what our country taught us,” she added

Banerjee emphasised Bengal’s plural cultural spirit, saying Durga Puja brings different communities together. “Someone may call his mother ‘Maa’ and another may say ‘Amma’. But the love, respect, and bonding remains the same. As Ramakrishna Paramahansa said, there are different paths to reach the same goal,” she said.

On Saturday, the chief minister inaugurated three Durga Puja pandals, Tala Pratyay, Sreebhumi Sporting Club and Hatibagan Sarbojonin. Tala Pratyay is marking its centenary this year; the committee said it was honoured to have the chief minister write the lyrics for their theme song.

Banerjee, who often pens theme songs for puja committees, joked that she usually writes for others’ pujas and this year wrote Tala Pratyay’s as well.

“Generally I write the theme song of Aroop’s puja (state power minister Aroop Biswas whose puja is Suruchi Sangha) and draw eyes of Durga at Bobby’s puja (Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim who’s puja is Chetla Agrani). But, this time I wrote the theme song of Tala Pratyay also.”

Cautioning residents about the weather, Banerjee urged people to take care of their health ahead of the festivities. “My physical condition is not well in this rainy weather. I have to take care of my vocal system as I have inaugurated almost three thousand Durga Pujas,” she said. “Do not get drenched in this rain. Influenza is spreading rapidly. If you fall ill now, you won’t enjoy the Puja. Rain can come anytime, so please carry umbrellas. We pray the weather clears from Saptami so everyone can enjoy the festivities and complete their work smoothly.”