Why Is Mamata Banerjee Advocating for Voting Rights Without Mentioning SIR?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee emphasizes the importance of safeguarding voting rights.
- Communal harmony is vital for peace in West Bengal.
- Unity among people is essential for protecting democratic values.
- Banerjee's avoidance of SIR highlights political strategy.
- Calls for accountability from national leaders reflect public sentiment.
Kolkata, Oct 29 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for the safeguarding of voting rights for all legitimate voters in both the state and the nation, while notably refraining from directly referencing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) recently introduced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
"The foundations of democracy must remain robust. It is crucial that everyone's democratic rights are upheld. Every individual should be empowered to exercise their rights," the Chief Minister remarked during her address at the Jagatddhatri Puja event.
She also highlighted West Bengal's deep-rooted tradition of communal harmony, stating, "We honor all religious festivals. While everyone is entitled to practice their faith, the celebrations are collective. My wish is for peace in West Bengal. I aim for the nation's tranquility, and reject any form of divide and rule tactics in our country," Banerjee asserted.
The Trinamool Congress leader underscored the importance of unity among the populace, declaring that solidarity is essential for the protection of humanity. "The bond strengthens when all five fingers are united. We must not permit any slackening of this bond. Visionaries from West Bengal, like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, have always championed unity among the people," she emphasized.
Interestingly, the Chief Minister chose to sidestep a direct discussion of the SIR in West Bengal, despite the ongoing verbal assault from Trinamool’s General Secretary and MP, Abhishek Banerjee, against the BJP regarding the matter.
On the same day, he urged the public to restrain local BJP members if they requested birth certificates during the SIR of West Bengal's electoral rolls or during the National Register of Citizens (NRC) verification process.
He placed blame on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar for fostering an atmosphere of fear and called for criminal proceedings against them.