We must be tolerant, people should respect each other: CM

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged people to put up united fight against intolerance. 

She was addressing a gathering at Allen Park on Park Street during the inauguration of the Christmas festival. 

“We must have tolerance. Everybody must respect each other... one must not be disrespectful to another,” she said.

Speaking on the occasion, Banerjee said there had been a growing level of intolerance across the country which should be fought together. She also stressed the need of mental peace. 

“One should respect others sentiment in vast country like India where people from different caste, creed and religion live together and speak different languages. We pray to the almighty so that the peace prevails. 

Prosperity and development cannot take place without the peace of mind. We seek power from the God so that we can stand united and fight against intolerance,” Banerjee said. She also spoke about “oneness,” which according to her is very necessary for prosperity and growth. She said that on Christmas day, people gather on Park Street in large number to celebrate the festival. 

On December 25, the police will not allow any cars on Park Street where the festival will be celebrated, she said. 

Archbishop of Kolkata Rev. Thomas D’Souza, Members of Parliament, Derek O Brien, Subrata Bakshi, State Tourism Minister Bratya Basu, Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, Kolkata police commissioner Surajit Kar Purakyastha were also present in the programme.