PAILAN: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday played down the Burdwan blast, accused the BJP of playing divisive politics, and criticised the media but warned party workers to refrain from corrupt practices and factionalism.
Addressing a workers’ meeting here in South 24 Parganas, she played down the blast at Khagragarh in Burdwan district in which Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen militants were involved. “During Durga Puja and Eid an incident took place and there was an explosion but people were not harmed. Terrorists are a different community and creed who have no religion. “There is an attempt to malign West Bengal and divide people on communal lines. I love Bangladesh, but that doesn’t mean I support infiltration,” she said.”Who is in charge of preventing infiltration through the borders?” she asked, referring to the BSF which is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mamata then targeted the BJP. “All Muslims are being described as jihadists. But what about you encouraging people to cross over and create trouble in my state? We believe in humanity which is Bengal’s culture. They are not only against Muslims but also Hindus.
“We believe in Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy. Vivekananda had gone to a Muslim home and smoked hokaah to ascertain whether he lost his caste. Love your own religion but love others’ religions too,” she said.
Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mamata said that before the Lok Sabha elections it was said Bangladeshis in the state would be packed off with their belongings. “There are no infiltrators here and all refugees are Indian citizens. All Muslims are being bracketed as infiltrators. They have been deriding the country ever since they came to power.
“People voted for good governance not to create riots. How can people forget riots? In September, there was a communal riot in Gujarat. We don’t want riots here and we ensured communal harmony here,” she said. Mamata alleged that the BJP Government at the Centre was “increasing the prices of essential commodities and by allowing FDI in railways and defence and preventing our scientists from working. We will oppose such moves to sell the country.
“They are spending thousands of crores just for politicking and maligning us. They have no work but just to post stuff on Facebook and tweet. They are trying to starve West Bengal by depriving us of funds though there are more than a crore of unemployed youths in our state,” she further alleged.
Referring to the BJP leaders in the state, she remarked: “There are some unwanted people in this state who are trying to create problems and foment communal tension. We needn’t pay any heed to their lectures.”