Amid rising unrest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee took to her X profile on Saturday to make a heartfelt appeal for peace and restraint.
Emphasising that “every human life is precious,” Banerjee urged citizens of all religions to reject violence and avoid falling prey to political provocation.
In a message that struck a chord of unity and calm, the Trinamool Congress chief condemned the attempts by “some political parties” to misuse religion for political gain.
She reaffirmed her government’s position against the Waqf act in question and reiterated that it would not be implemented in the state.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said amid violent protests in the state.
Banerjee said the law was made by the Centre and answers should be sought from it.
"My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said in a post on X.
Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts during protests over the new legislation on Friday.
"Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," the CM said.
"We have made our position clear on this matter -- we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about," she asked.
Banerjee said legal action will be taken against those inciting riots.
"We do not condone any violent activity. Some political parties are trying to misuse religion for political gain. Do not give in to their persuasion," she said.
"I think religion means humanity, goodwill, civilisation and harmony. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony," she added.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari demanded the chief minister’s resignation in the wake of the continuing violence in Murshidabad holding her responsible.
“If you have any shame left you must resign. You are trying to reap political benefits while the state is burning. You gave the provocation. Now that the situation has gone out of your control you are calling for peace,” Adhikari wrote on his X handle. “They have clearly stated you depend on them and not vice versa. Your MPs and MLAs have lost all control. Murshidabad, Malda is now run by PFI, SIMI and other terrorist organisations.”
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday accused a section of opposition forces of trying to stir unrest in West Bengal after failing to win power through democratic means.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital in Sodpur, in the northern suburbs of Kolkata, Banerjee said certain groups were trying to sow discord among communities after "failing politically to dislodge the ruling TMC from power." "After failing to derail the development initiatives in Bengal under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, these people are now playing a diabolical game to foment unrest. They don’t want communal harmony to prevail anymore. They don’t want the peaceful law and order situation in our state to continue. We must be on guard against such conspirators," he said at the inauguration of the private healthcare facility.
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