Can Peace Really Prevail in the Country Only with Unity? Mamata Banerjee Speaks Out

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Unity is essential for peace in the country.
- The state government bears the financial impact of GST reforms.
- Harassment based on language is a pressing concern.
- Durga Puja is an integral part of Bengal's cultural identity.
- Inclusivity is a hallmark of Bengal's ethos.
Kolkata, Sep 21 (NationPress) During the Mahalaya celebration on Sunday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated several Durga Puja Pandals both in-person and virtually. She emphasized that peace in the nation can only be achieved through unity. "Peace can prevail in the country only if communal unity prevails. Otherwise, peace cannot prevail. I personally think that Bengal means unity of religion, culture, language, and caste. Bengal always believes in all-inclusivity," the Chief Minister stated while launching a community Puja Pandal in South Kolkata.
During her address, she pointed out that while the Union government boasts about the upcoming changes to the goods and service tax (GST) returns, the actual credit should be attributed to the state government, which will incur financial losses due to these reforms.
"Still, we are not complaining since the sufferings of the common people have lessened to an extent because of the development. I am sure that BJP-ruled states will be indirectly compensated for the loss. But we in Bengal are being denied our share in central funds. Because of the GST reforms, West Bengal’s financial loss will be to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore," Mamata remarked.
The Chief Minister commenced her community Puja pandal inaugurations on Saturday, addressing the issue of alleged harassment faced by Bengali-speaking migrant workers throughout the nation.
Continuing her critique of the BJP, she asserted that the party has no authority to impose language restrictions on individuals. "In Bengal, no one is harassed for speaking in any language other than Bengali. Then why will Bengalis be harassed in other states for speaking in their mother language?" she questioned.
On the same day, the Chief Minister, alongside Abhishek Banerjee, the general secretary of the Trinamool Congress and a Lok Sabha member, participated in the launch of the Puja Edition of the party's publication in Bengali, ‘Jago Bangla’ (Wake up Bengal).
Abhishek Banerjee mentioned, "A few years back, there was an attempt to create a false narrative that the celebration of Durga Puja was not allowed in Bengal. But today, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, Bengal’s Durga Puja has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."