Mamata Questions the Ridicule Over Attending Diverse Religious Events
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Synopsis
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the ridicule she faces at events of different religions, asserting that love for humanity transcends all religions. She urged citizens to remain calm amid provocations and emphasized Bengal’s legacy of cultural acceptance.
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee faces ridicule for attending diverse religious events.
- She emphasizes love and humanity as the core of all religions.
- Calls for peaceful protests and avoiding provocations.
- Expresses the need for unity and respect among different faiths.
- Critiques violence related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act protests.
Kolkata, April 14 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her confusion over the ridicule she faces each time she participates in celebrations of other faiths, emphasizing that "no religion is greater than the religion of loving people." She noted, "Even my surname is changed whenever I attend the religious function of any other religion. Who are those people? We must always remember that religion means unity, sacrifice, respect, love, humanity, peace, and culture. There is no religion bigger than the religion of loving people. You cannot win anyone through isolation. If anyone faces any kind of attack, we always stand by them," the Chief Minister remarked during the opening ceremony of the newly-built Kalighat Skywalk and the Hawkers’ Corner at the renowned Kalighat Temple in South Kolkata.
In her address, she indirectly referenced the unrest in the minority-majority Murshidabad district of West Bengal, which has been tense following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Chief Minister urged citizens to avoid falling prey to provocations.
She stated, "Everyone has the right to protest peacefully on any issue. But none, regardless of who they are, has the right to take the law into their own hands. Some individuals may try to instigate, but do not fall into that trap. Keeping a cool head is crucial."
During the event, the Chief Minister highlighted Bengal's rich tradition of embracing both national and global cultures.
On April 12, she had already issued a statement asserting that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be enforced in West Bengal, indicating that protests on this matter were unnecessary in the state.
She further clarified that neither her party nor the state government was responsible for the enactment of the act, making the violence surrounding the protests unjustifiable.
She subtly suggested that the genuine movement against the act should be aimed at the Union government, which introduced the amended Waqf act.
