Mamata says situation 'very alarming'

Kolkata: Condemning the murder of senior Kannada journalist and social activist Gauri Lankesh in Karnataka, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in a candlelight vigil from Kolkata Press Club till Gandhi statue in the city on Wednesday evening.

"Participated in a candle vigil from #Kolkata Press Club till Gandhi statue to condemn the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh," Banerjee tweeted.

Hundreds of people from different fields of society joined the candlelight vigil to condemn the murder of the journalist.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister attacked the Centre without naming it for "dividing people" and unleashing communal tension.

Addressing a programme on Wednesday, Banerjee said: "Now, we are living in a country where social security is not given priority, it (the Centre) is neither taking care for the downtrodden nor for businessmen and traders. It is taking care for a particular subject… that is to divide the people and to divide humanity."

Banerjee further said: "I am very sad today for the murder of the renowned journalist and I condemn the incident. What has happened is because of her hard-hitting writing that may not be supported by some people."

She further added that there are constant attempts to create communal tension. She said that "it is nothing but a negative attitude and we prefer positive and constructive approach to everything."

Criticising the role of some news channels, the Chief Minister maintained: "…some people say that Mamatadi is doing everything to appease minorities. I would like to clearly state that there is 30 percent Muslim population in my state which is the highest in the country. While in both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, it's 11 percent each. There are Christians, tribals, Schedule Castes and general population as well in Bengal. Don't you think when I work for a chair I have to take care of all?"

She maintained: "I have to take care of everything and everyone in my state. I cannot discriminate between white and black."