Some are distorting history & dividing people, says Mamata

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP alleging that leaders of a particular political party are trying to sow the seeds of division with an agenda of hate.

Speaking at the occasion of International Mother Language Day at Deshapriya Park, Banerjee, referring to a recent incident at Nadia where a Kashmiri shawl seller was beaten up, said: "We cannot turn away a Kashmiri shawl seller just because an incident has happened. No one can take law in their hands. If someone thinks only they have the right to live here and not others, I am sorry to say that we do not support such theory."

She reiterated that the police have taken appropriate action in the incident at Taherpur in Nadia and have arrested five persons. Banerjee also mentioned the incident of threatening a Kashmiri doctor in Kolkata. "How can someone dare to threaten a Kashmiri doctor who is living in Bengal for 20 years? Such arrogance. Leaders of a political party with their agenda of hate are trying to sow the seeds of division. My language has not taught me to hate anyone," she added.

Maintaining that the people of Bengal must unitedly fight against fundamentalism with conviction and strength, she said: "If you raise your voice, you are branded pro-Pakistan. They think they are the only nationalists and the rest of us are anti-nationals. Any attempt to spread violence and hatred should be thwarted," she asserted.

Coming down heavily on the saffron party accusing them of distorting history, she maintained: "The ideology they espouse is not part of our culture. Their brand of religion is inhuman. We are born in this land. We will die here too. We will never betray this nation, this country, our language or unity of the country. We want united India. Let us think with unity. Let us work for unity. Let us speak for unity and defeat the politics of divide-and-rule."

Reiterating that fundamentalism should not be allowed to take over India, Banerjee added: "India cannot become a nation of narrow minds as it has always been known as the land of wisdom and knowledge."

She took to Twitter in the morning to extend her heartfelt greetings to all on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

"Best wishes to all on International Mother Language Day. Respect all languages but take pride in your mother tongue," she tweeted.

The Chief Minister paid tribute at the Bhasha Shahid Stambha at Deshapriya Park to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for Bhasha Andolan in Dhaka in 1952 and said though Bengali is spoken mostly in Bengal, the state respects all languages.

Earlier in the day, she also paid tribute to the Shahid Smarak opposite Birla Planetarium at the park popularly known as 'Ekushe Udyan'.

International Mother Language Day is observed around the world on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity.