Kolkata, 16 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP and the central government ahead of her party’s annual July 21 rally. Leading a massive rally from College Square to Dorina Crossing in Kolkata on Wednesday, she raised many issues, particularly the alleged harrassment of Bengali-speaking people across various states in India.
Calling the present situation worse than the Emergency, Mamata said, “What we are witnessing is not just an Emergency, not even a Super Emergency, a dangerous form of misrule.” She added, In 2026, Bengal will still remain under our control. After that, the INDI alliance will gear up for the battle to take Delhi.”
Referring to Delhi, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Odisha, Mamata alleged that Bengali-speaking citizens in these states are facing regular discrimination and harassment. She claimed that in Delhi, water and electricity connections of Bengalis are being disconnected, and in Assam, Bengali speakers are being served legal notices.
She asked, “Is speaking Bengali a crime now? Does speaking in Bengali make someone a Rohingya? Can this country run like this?”
The Chief Minister also accused the central government of issuing a secret notification, allegedly allowing authorities to send Bengali-speaking individuals to detention camps on mere suspicion. “We will challenge this in court,” she declared. “If you have the courage, take me to a detention camp. I will now speak even more in Bengali.”
Sending a strong message to the BJP, Mamata said, “You don’t know what retaliation looks like. Be ready, this time, there will be a game. Khela Hobe!”
She also urged Trinamool Congress workers to ensure their names are listed in the voter rolls. “If necessary, skip a day of work, but make sure your name is on the voter list,” she said.
Taking a dig at central forces like BSF and CISF, she questioned, “If speaking Bengali makes someone a Rohingya or an illegal immigrant, then how are these so-called Bangladeshis entering the country through the borders? Who is guarding the borders?”
Mamata said that the conspiracy against Bengalis will no longer be tolerated. “Let me work here if the people of Bengal have elected me. Otherwise, I will travel across the country and raise my voice.”
The rally, led by Mamata Banerjee, was accompanied by key party leaders including Abhishek Banerjee, Firhad Hakim, and Aroop Biswas. Thousands of TMC supporters and common citizens joined the march, displaying the Trinamool Congress’s strength and unity.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
