Kolkata: As the bodies draped in the Indian Tricolour reached home and thousands of countrymen bid a sombre farewell to the 44 slain CRPF jawans who died in the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee participated in a candlelight march in the city on Saturday.
Soon after the rally ended at Esplanade's Gandhi Statue after commencing from Hazra More, Banerjee condemned the incident once again and said: "We condemn the incident and express our solidarity with the family members of the slain jawans."
Sending across a strong message of unity, she stated: "When the country is in crisis, it is our duty to stand together with the citizens. The whole of India is united. Unity is our strength. Irrespective of their religion, caste and creed, people are united against the terror attack. Terrorists are terrorists. They do not belong to any religion or caste."
The candlelight march was taken out from Hazra More at 4 pm where all the senior Trinamool Congress leaders participated. Banerjee was seen carrying a lighted candle in her hand during the march. Many of her Cabinet colleagues also accompanied her in the rally which passed through Bhowanipore, Exide More area before taking to Mayo Road. It finally ended at the Gandhi Statue at around 5 pm. Senior Trinamool Congress leaders were wearing black badges as a symbol of protest.
Hundreds of mourners from the city also joined the march as it went past important places. Curious onlookers also gathered at the roadsides to see Banerjee. She also announced that the Trinamool Congress will organise a silent rally at different blocks and Municipal areas including the city for an hour from 2 pm on Sunday to condemn the terror attack. She also urged people to take part in the rally in large numbers.
"I would urge all the senior leaders of our party to arrange silent rallies in all blocks. All the wings affiliated to the Trinamool Congress will take part so that we can show our respect to our motherland. No microphones will be played during the programme, keeping in mind the ongoing Madhyamik examination."
At the Gandhi Statue, she said: "I would not issue any political statement on such an occasion. We express our solidarity with our jawans' families and also with the countrymen and the nation." Banerjee and her colleagues also sang the National Anthem and Vande Mataram. A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to the bravehearts.