Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted on Tuesday that over 1.7 crore minority students have received scholarships in Bengal, which is the highest in the country.
On Minorities' Rights Day, she tweeted: "Today is Minorities' Rights Day. We are all equal and united. Unity in diversity is our strength. You will be happy to know that in Bangla, we have distributed scholarships to over 1.7 crore minority students, the highest in the country. My best wishes to all."
It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister has accused BJP of inciting people belonging to one community against another. In public meetings organised in the districts, she has asked people to maintain communal harmony and not to get swayed by rumours.
"Bengal's culture is communal harmony and peace and we will not tolerate any attempt to destabilise the social fabric," she maintained.
After coming to power in 2011, Banerjee took special interest to ensure that students belonging to minority groups get opportunities to carry on with their studies. The state government has so far distributed scholarships to 1.70 crore minority students, which is the highest in the country. Various centres have come up where minority students are given coaching for competitive examinations.
She was heard criticising those who had criticised her for 'Muslim appeasement'. "Many have criticised me, alleging that I do Muslim appeasement. This charge is baseless. I go to temples and follow Hindu rituals, I go to the church and join the prayer on Christmas Eve and keep roja during Ramjan month. This is India. Our country from time immemorial has spoken about unity in diversity," Banerjee said in a recent political meeting.
The Kanyashree and Sabuj Sathi projects of the state government have helped girls to carry on with their studies. Under Kanyashree, students from economically weak background are given support. This scheme has helped the girl students of minority communities immensely. Under Sabuj Sathi, bicycles have been given to the students of Classes IX, X, XI and XII free of cost.
It has played a major role in bringing down child marriages, particularly in Muslim dominated areas. After receiving assistance from the state government, many students from the minority communities are now appearing for competitive examinations.