Mamata seeks mass participation in Martyrs’ Day rally

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called upon party workers, supporters and sympathisers to commemorate 21 years of 21 July —observed as the ‘Martyrs’ Day’.

‘21 July, observed as Martyrs’ Day, will complete 21 years tomorrow (Monday). Join us, pay respect to the martyrs and make the event more meaningful,’ Banerjee said in a Facebook post.

‘The term “Ekushe” involves with our memories and a lot of emotion. It also has a history of mass movement. I shall never forget this day,’ the chief minister said in her Facebook post.

Banerjee is expecting a lot of new inductees in the party including some weighty names from the Congress. ‘Her speech will provide a new direction to the state. She is now focusing on industry and investment and has already announced her intention to travel to Singapore for the purpose,’ said a senior MP of the party, Sisir Adhikari.

This year, the turnout at Monday’s rally in Central Kolkata is expected to be over 5 lakh. 

Mamata Banerjee is expected to celebrate her party’s winning performance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.

However, the incessant rain in Kolkata may bring down the numbers a wee bit. Last year, the rally did not take place due to the panchayat polls being under way.

Thirteen Youth Congress activists were killed on 21 July, 1993, in a brutal police firing during the march to Writers’ Buildings. The CPI(M) was ruling the state at the time. Since then, Banerjee has been observing the day without fail.