September 12, 2019
You are playing with fire: Didi warns Centre on NRC
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday issued a challenge to the Centre over the National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying the Centre won’t be able to shut Bengal’s mouth. Mamata said those trying to divide the people in the name of NRC are playing with fire, adding that she would never allow the exercise to be conducted in her state.
Speaking at an anti-NRC rally after holding a protest march, Mamata Banerjee said people were still being asked to give proof of their identity after so many years of independence.
“We will never allow NRC in Bengal. We will not allow them to divide the people on religious and caste lines. We will not accept NRC in Assam. They have silenced the people of Assam by using police administration but they cannot silence Bengal,” she said here.
“19 lakh people have been left out of the final list (of Assam NRC), including Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. It’s 72 years of independence and still we’ve to give proof of our identity. Why?” she asked.
“You won’t be able to shut Bengal’s mouth as you did in Assam by using your police,” she added, issuing a warning to the Centre. Alleging that there was an attempt to divide the people in the name of religion, Mamata Banerjee said the Centre was trying to preach faith now.
“Suddenly, you are teaching us religion as if we don’t celebrate Eid, Durga Puja, Muharram and Chhath Puja. For the sake of religion, for the sake of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, I don’t agree with NRC,” she said.
Mamata Banerjee, who has been one of the vociferous critics of the NRC, even dared the BJP and its leaders to touch one citizen of Bangla in the name of the NRC.
