Kolkata, Apr 16 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of "allowing" outsiders to enter the state and incite riots.
Addressing a conference of the Imams, the Moazzims and intellectuals here, Banerjee also assailed the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for being "in a hurry" over passing the Waqf Amendment ignoring the present situation in Bangladesh, which shares a long border with Bengal.
“Why were you in such a hurry about [Waqf Amendment]? Didn’t you know the situation in Bangladesh? Bengal shares a border with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan. Hold meetings with (present interim Bangladesh government Chief Adviser Muhammad) Yunus, have pacts and agreements. I will be happy if it brings good to the country. But what is their plan?” Mamata said at Netaji Indoor Stadium programme.
The Chief Minister, making a veiled reference to the 2002 Gujarat riots as a factor behind the BJP's rise to power, said, “Those who come to power by inciting riots will never understand the value of people’s blood."
“The violence in Murshidabad was pre-planned. Had TMC been involved in the Waqf violence as claimed by the opposition, the houses of our leaders wouldn’t have been attacked,” she added.
The Bengal Chief Minister's criticism comes in the wake of widespread violence that broke out during protests against the new law last Friday. The unrest saw several vehicles, including police vans, set on fire, stones hurled at security personnel, and road blockades across the districts of Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly.
In Murshidabad, the violence claimed three lives and left several others injured, prompting the Calcutta High Court to order the deployment of central forces.
Referring to a tweet quoting the Union Home Ministry claiming Bangladesh's involvement in the Murshidabad riots, the Chief Minister said “To engage in riots by using certain agencies that facilitate movement of people from there.... If that is the case (allowing people from Bangladesh), the Central government is responsible since BSF guards the borders, not us. The state government doesn’t have the responsibility to guard the borders.”
Alleging that the BSF is allowing people to come to Bengal and create disturbance so that they can polarise the Hindus and the Muslims and get advantage during the election, Mamata said, “Why did they allow BJP thugs from outside to come and create chaos before fleeing the scene? Accountability must be fixed. They want to polarise and divide Hindus and Muslims. They want their Jumla government … Don’t divide the country; unite all instead.”
“Who is coming by plane? We don’t even know. Previously there were state police personnel posted in the airport, but they have stopped that too. I shall find out and no one will be spared,” she added.
Accusing the BJP of hatching a plan to foment riots on Ram Navami, Banerjee said “They failed and for that I would like to thank everyone. Don’t fall into the trap of BJP. I have information that they gave 5000 to 6000 rupees to the children for pelting stones. Investigation is on and I shall find everyone,” the chief minister said.
Appealing for peace among all communities, Mamata said, “I am firmly against any form of riots or violence. I personally urge everyone not to engage in violence and to prevent others from doing so. As long as I am here, I will not allow any division between Hindus and Muslims,” she added.
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