Cooch Behar, 07 April (H.S.): Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of hurting the “pride and self-esteem” of the Rajbanshi community in North Bengal. He alleged that the failure to fulfil poll promises has led to resentment among the community members.

Addressing a public meeting in the Natabari Assembly constituency of Cooch Behar district, the TMC national general secretary said that the Centre is yet to respond to the West Bengal government’s demand to include the Rajbanshi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. He stated that this delay has hurt the sentiments of the community, which has its own distinct cultural identity and traditions.

Targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Banerjee accused him of making false promises to the Rajbanshi community. He said, “Amit Shah had promised during the 2019, 2021 and 2024 election campaigns to raise a ‘Narayani Sena’ battalion from members of the community, but the Centre has yet to fulfil that promise.”

He further added that the Rajbanshi community constitutes a significant voter base in Cooch Behar district, and the failure to honour commitments reflects the shortcomings of the central government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey