If atrocities against Bengalis do not stop, we will take the fight to Delhi: Mamata Banerjee’s warning

Today at the Shahid Minar grounds in Esplanade, Kolkata, Trinamool Congress Chairperson and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a powerful speech. She raised her voice on several issues, including attacks on Bengalis in other states, citizenship and NRC. The Trinamool supremo strongly opposed the BJP’s “catastrophic” decisions. She presented an “anti-Bengali” circular issued by the Union government and declared that if atrocities against Bengalis continue, she will take the fight to Delhi.

Highlights of her speech:

Since 1993, for the last 33 years, we have been observing this day as Democracy Day and paying tribute to the martyrs. On that day, blood was shed on these streets, 13 lives were lost. If we hadn’t fought then, none of you would have received voter ID cards.

Some people are accepting bribes to spread propaganda on social media.

The previous “narakankal government” [skeleton government, that is, killer government] ruined Bengal. Our fight will continue against Jagai-Madhai-Gadai and Ram-Bam-Shyam (a dig at opposing political factions).

We have endured immense oppression to reach we are today. This struggle will go on until there is a change in the government at the Centre.

We have reduced unemployment by 40 per cent. We have created over 83 crore person-days of employment.

Did you think Bengal wouldn’t be able to continue the 100-Days’ Work scheme after you stopped funding it? But we did. You also shut down the rural housing and rural road projects in Bengal.

Despite the Union government’s neglect, we continue to work relentlessly for the people of Bengal. We are implementing numerous welfare projects. Homes have been provided to the poor through the housing scheme. The Trinamool government has funded the renovation of religious institutions. Bengal has 94 active social welfare schemes.

The BJP is conspiring while justice silently weeps. They don’t speak for the people. Why did you disconnect electricity in Delhi? Why are you not even them allowing access to drinking water?

A confidential notification has been issued by the Union government and sent to BJP-ruled states, saying that if anyone is suspected, especially if they speak Bengali, they should be arrested and kept in a detention camp for a month. People visiting relatives are also being targeted. The government of India issued this circular now, before the elections. Over a thousand people have been jailed—some in Madhya Pradesh, some in Odisha and some in Rajasthan.

A reign of terror will be unleashed on the Bengali language. They are deciding who will eat fish or eggs. Bengal will not accept this. Here, every individual’s rights will be protected.

A BJP leader claimed there are 17 lakh Rohingyas in Bengal. The UN says there are only 10 lakh Rohingyas worldwide. Where did they find 17 lakh from?

Two female students were assaulted here. We took action. Can BJP leaders say the same? In Odisha, a girl trying to save her dignity by running from the clutches of bad people was burnt alive. Why? Give us an answer.

The Matua community is being oppressed. What will the BJP say? You seek their votes during elections and torture them afterwards. The Assam government has sent NRC notices to Bengalis in Coochbehar.

You’ve been in Delhi for 11 years—what development have you done? You promised to bring back black money and lied to the people to get votes. Where are the two crore jobs? Where is the black money? Did each of us get Rs 15 lakh?

You love to talk about misrule, but it is your government that is responsible for misrule. You gave an MP ticket to someone who tortured athletes. According to the BJP, Brij Bhushan Singh even deserves a Bharat Ratna.

I respect the Election Commission. In the name of SIR, 40 lakh names were struck off in Bihar and now they want to do the same in Bengal. If that happens, we will protest, we will gherao—we will not accept it.

You suspend funds for Bengal and then allege there is no work in the state, and thus, everybody is moving outside.

Bengal played a key role in the Freedom Movement, sparked the Renaissance. And you fear to even speak Bengali now? Bengal gave birth to Rabindranath, Bankimchandra, Nazrul. The national anthem originated here.

Break the BJP’s Delhi government, break the “double engine government”. If Bengalis are oppressed, this fight will reach Delhi. Bengal’s land will not belong to criminals. If Bengalis are arrested for speaking their language, we will fight in Delhi. I am not someone to give up. You remember Singur and Nandigram, don’t you?

Trinamool is the fruit of many struggles. The biggest looters, the ones who extorted the most ‘cut money, were the CPI(M). And it is they who showed BJP the way.

In 2026, we must win even more seats, and then our target will be Delhi. To stop the conspiracies, the BJP must be removed from Delhi.

You can’t even handle Assam, and yet you interfere in Bengal? Stop meddling or else we’ll all march in protest—let’s see how many you can imprison in detention camps.

If needed, another language movement will arise. You’ll arrest Bengalis, and then read two Bengali lines from a teleprompter and expect their hearts to melt? That won’t happen.

It’s not that easy to finish Trinamool. You think you can do it with the help of the ED and CBI? I dare you to try it.

On July 11, the Union Home Ministry wrote to us saying elections will be conducted using Central forces. Why? State elections should be handled by state forces.

How dare they sit in Gujarat and remove names from Bengal’s voter lists? You won’t be able to manage the damage. Let’s see how many people you can throw into jails.

We are ready to die, but will not tolerate oppression or insults against Bengali or any language.

We will build a Durga Angan like Jagannath Dham.

People are happy today, and that’s why they (BJP) are burning with jealousy.

Against terrorising Bengali-speakers and insulting the Bengali language, from July 27, which is celebrated as Nanur Day, we will hold rallies every Saturday and Sunday with all language-speakers.

The more slander you throw at Trinamool, the stronger we will become. Today’s crowd is a record. With this crowd, not one but ten Brigade Parade Grounds can be filled up.

Our vow today is: As long as we live, we will not allow linguistic terror; we will not accept disunity.

Today, at the Shahid Minar grounds, we take an oath: Our fight will not stop until you leave.

You keep on marching to Nabanna and standing outside my house? Then get ready for us to march to your homes.

Earlier, our slogan was, “We won’t seek revenge, but change”; now, our slogan has become, “You will be stopped and silenced. Our vision is your extinction”

We will not tolerate atrocities against Bengalis: Mamata Banerjee

In protest against the harassment of Bengalis in other states, the Trinamool Congress took to the streets today. The rally was led by Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by Abhishek Banerjee, Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Shashi Panja, Dola Sen and several other senior leaders.

Here are the highlights of Mamata Banerjee’s speech at the rally in Dharmatala:

This time, nearly 27,000 lakh cubic metres of water was released from the DVC and Panchet dams. As a result, people across Bengal—in Birbhum, parts of West Midnapore, Jhargram, parts of Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah, parts of Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas—have been flooded. We held a meeting yesterday for them. We will do everything we can. You all must stand by them.

I will not say everything today. You must come on July 21. I am extending an invitation to all of you for the July 21 gathering.

There is much less waterlogging in Kolkata now. Only one or two wards get waterlogged. Earlier, even a little rain would cause a lot of waterlogging. Now, 99 per cent of the city does not face waterlogging; the remaining parts will be made waterlogging-free by 2026.

I am deeply ashamed, hurt, saddened and shocked by the behaviour of the government of India and the BJP. The Indian government has issued a notification, which we will challenge. They secretly issued the notification and sent it to BJP-ruled states. It clearly states that if anyone is suspected [of being a Bangladeshi]—simply on the basis of their speaking Bengali—they will be arrested and kept in detention camps. Even if someone visits a relative’s house, this is happening.

I respect people of all languages. I respect every Indian. But we will not tolerate atrocities against Bengalis.

Has BJP become the landlord of the country? They are sending anyone to jail as they please. If someone speaks in Bengali, they are calling them a Bangladeshi or a Rohingya. But Bangladesh is a separate country. Rohingyas are from Myanmar. How is that our concern? Citizens of West Bengal have Aadhaar cards, PAN cards. There are 22 lakh Bengali migrant workers. They could live much better in Bengal. On the one hand, you will make them work, but if they speak Bengali, you’ll put them in jail, in detention camps? Why? By what right? Is West Bengal not a part of India?

Why do you hate Bengalis? What have they done to you? Rabindranath Tagore celebrated Rakhshabandhan. Both the Indian and Bangladeshi national anthems were written by him. Wasn’t ‘Jana Gana Mana’ written by a Bengali? Back then, the country stood united.

The Union Home Minister controls the CISF and CRPF. Air travel comes under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. Monitoring infiltration is the job of the Central government.

I’ve heard that in Bihar, 30.5 lakh votes have been deleted. The BJP won in Maharashtra by doing such things. Otherwise, they couldn’t have won. They did the same in Delhi. Now they are planning to do it in Bihar too. The people of Bihar are our brothers and sisters. The BJP is planning the same for Bengal. We will fight against every injustice. We will not give up even one inch without a fight.

People are being suddenly arrested while working. Even after showing documents, they are being taken to jail. Their elderly mothers, wives and children are also being taken. What crime have they committed? Speaking in Bengali? The Centre should remember that our state also has over 1.5 crore migrant workers. We never treat them like this. We give other states’ migrant workers respect, and you insult ours.

In Maharashtra, there have been atrocities against the Matua-speaking people. During elections, you beg for their votes at their homes while at other times, you oppress them. Udayan knows how many Rajbanshis have been pushed back into Bangladesh and kept in jail. People from Nadia have been detained in Chhattisgarh. In Delhi, water and electricity connections of people from West Bengal have been cut off.

After getting reports from Chhattisgarh, Mahua Moitra went there to help the Bengali-speaking people of Nadia. In Delhi too, she staged a 48-hour sit-in protest for harassed Bengalis. The Assam government has sent notices to residents of Cooch Behar. What right do they have?

 

Asit Mal’s speech during the discussion on“India’s glorious space journey marked by successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3″

Many thanks for giving chance to say something. Mr. Saugata Roy, senior-most member of parliament, he told details about Chandrayaan-3. I am fully agreed with him.

Sir, yet I come to say one point – I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations to the scientists, ISRO. Sir, the success of Chandrayaan-3 has raised our country on a glorious position, the world. I would like to draw a kind attention of the honourable Prime Minister in order to look in the problems of the scientist, ISRO specially and if they do not suffer from monetary problem.

Sir, bohut khushi ka baat hain, West Bengal mein bohut scientist ISRO mein hain. Lekin, humara Bolpur constituency hain, parliamentary constituency, wahan se ek scientist, Bijoy Kumar Dai, Chandrayaan-3 mein kam karta hain. Humara jela Birbhum, Birbhum parliamentary constituency hain, uska MP present hain sir, Satabdi Roy. Teeno scientist Chandrayaan-3 mein kam karta hain. Soumyajeet Chatterjee, Moshraf Hossain, Deepjyoti Dhar – ek garva ka vishay hain.

Sab scientist ka saath ISRO scientist ko fir ekbar bohut avinandan karta hain.

Thank you sir.

 

BJP will not return to power in 2024: Mamata Banerjee

BJP will not return to power in 2024: Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated the new metro railway coaches at the Titagarh Wagons Limited factory in Uttarpara. This is also Bengal’s first factory for manufacturing metro coaches.

Highlights of the chief minister’s speech:

• While the unemployment rate in the country has increased to 40 per cent, that in Bengal has reduced.

• We have set up 52 colleges.

• The Andal.Airport will become an international airport.

• We have done a lot of work on implementing social welfare schemes.

• Bengal’s tax collection has increased by four times.

• 529 MSME clusters have been set up.

• Investment worth Rs 15 lakh crore has taken place.

• It won’t be so easy to break up Bengal.

• Why were those steps taken on July 22, which was immediately after our grand July 21 annaul celebrations? [referring to the ED raids on Partha Chatterjee]

• There have been income tax raids on the houses of many industrialists.

• They are using government agencies to destroy the reputations of other political parties.

• Hindustan Motors was given a large amount of land by the Left Front government. As a result, 700 acres are lying vacant.

• The state government will take that over using proper legal ways.

• The state government is investing Rs 72,000 crore in Raghunathpur in Purulia district.

• As soon as coal extraction from Deocha-Pachami stabilises, the state’s citizens will start getting electricity at cheaper prices.

• Rs 15,000 crore is being invested in the building of Tajpur Port.

• The BJP will not return to power in 2024.

In 2024, BJP will drown in a flood of people: Mamata Banerjee

Last two years, the Shahid Dibas rallies were virtual. Therefore, after a long time, there was a record gathering at this year’s rally. Besides Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi, Saugata Roy, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Anit Thapa, Shatrughan Sinha, Firhad Hakim and Birbaha Hansda were present.

Highlights of Mamata Banerjee’s speech:

In 2024, BJP will drown in a flood of people.

With a Trinamool government in place, you will continue to receive various subsidies, free ration and other benefits.

The ED and CBI comprise the backbone of BJP, but they can never be used to scare us.

A lot of employment opportunities are being created in Bengal—in Deocha Pachami, Tajpur Port, Bengal Silicon Valley Tech Hub and other places.

The next 50 years, Bengal would be self-sufficient in coal.

Don’t BJP leaders at muri? Even if a patient is admitted to hospital, we now have to pay GST. My question is, how much GST would need to be paid if a person dies?

The Union government is not paying Bengal the money owed over the 100 Days’ Work Scheme. As a result, poor people are not getting money over the past seven months even after working hard. The Centre has stopped payment for other schemes as well. Are you trying to starve people to death simply because you have lost an election? If the BJP government does not pay our 100 Days’ Work due, we will gherao you in Delhi.

I salute the hills people.

Do not try to scare me by using ED and CBI. I do not fear them at all. Only cowards are afraid.

If ED and CBI come, welcome them by giving them muri to eat. Mix a little oil to make it tasty. And tell them, you do not need to worry about paying the GST on this.

Let there be an ideal political party in India, and let theta party be Trinamool Congress.

In 2024, break out from the prison BJP has put you in, and bring about a people’s government.

Joy Bangla dicche dak, joy Bharat benche thak.

BJP hatao, CPI(M) hatao.

I have never seen such a peaceful election in the hills: Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called for peace and prosperity in Darjeeling and proposed a slew of projects in the hills.

She was speaking in Darjeeling at the swearing-in ceremony of the elected members of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), whose elections were held after a gap of 10 years.

Mamata Banerjee said she will not come to usurp power in Darjeeling and wanted friendship with the people of the hills.

“I want friendship. I don’t want any quarrel. I have only one interest. The hills must move forward. Trust me, I will not come here to usurp power. I will come with love.”

“I have never seen such a peaceful election in the hills. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in the past. Now you have to promise me one thing. Whoever may be the leader, no one will allow any trouble in the hills. If there is peace, the economy will prosper,” said the chief minister.

The chief minister proposed three new satellite towns in the hills, in the fringes of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, which will include an industrial hub, shops, home stays, shopping malls and restaurants among others. For Mirik, she proposed an earthquake resistant eco-tourism hub.

She proposed a slew of projects including skill training centres for job generation in the hills, schemes to boost homestays and eco-tourism centres around tea gardens, piped drinking water for all by 2024, special business summit for hills, bottling plants around hill streams, government loan for lady drivers, etc.

 

 

The next general election will be one where voters will reject the BJP: Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today participated in the India Today Conclave East in Kolkata.

Excerpts from her talk:

Why should the name ‘Agnipath’ be used? Since it is about the Indian Army, why not choose a name related to the Army?

Many posts have been done away with in the Railways and other Central government organisations.

I have seen many governments but never such a vindictive one.

The next general election will be one of protest; it will be the one where voters will reject the BJP.

My only interest is in the good of the country, in the progress of the country, in seeing a smile on each and every citizen’s face.

 

 

BJP is a party of worthless, incompetent people: Mamata Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee today spoke at a party workers’ meeting in Asansol.

Highlights of her speech:

  • They have removed 80,000 jobs from the Railways. Where will you get jobs?
  • The BJP is just giving the people lollipops before the 2024 elections. It is a party of worthless, incompetent people.
  • The BJP is saying that over four years, the Union government will recruit just 20,000 people and later another 40,000 people. So won’t even 1,000 people from my state get jobs?
  • If anyone speaks up against the BJP, the CBI and ED are thrust on them.
  • Why are BJP leaders not arrested even after making dirty comments?
  • Why was Mohammed Zubair arrested? What did he do?
  • You have not only won in Asansol. You have completely shut up the BJP.

 

Our presidential candidate would be decided on the basis of consensus: Mamata Banerjee

Today, 17 anti-BJP parties met at the Constitution Club in New Delhi today on the call of the Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee.

Excerpts from her media interaction:

  • We have friends from Congress, CPI(M), CPI and various other parties here today.
  • The two parties which are missing today must be having some special reason; they might have had some other important work.
  • At the meeting earlier, we have jointly come up with the name of Sharad Pawar as our candidate for the presidential election. It was a joint decision.
  • We came together after a long time. We will again come together soon.

 

We believe equally in all religions: Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a press conference at Nabanna today.

Highlights:

  • We respect all religions equally.
  • I am strongly condemning the irresponsible, provocative and communal comments of some of the BJP leaders.
  • The country’s secular character is in strong need of preservation for a peaceful and secure future.
  • I request all my brothers and sisters of all religions, castes and creeds to maintain peace and togetherness.
  • Divisive comments disturb the peace of the country and poison the thoughts of the people.
  • In Bengal, we have religious unity. We celebrate all festivals with equal fervour.
  • Here, if someone speaks ill about a member of a minority community, the majority community stands beside them.