West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exchange greetings with her party leaders during a rally to observe Sanghati Diwas in Kolkata on Saturday. (Press Trust of India)
In an apparent dig at BJP, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today said that "dividing the people on basis of religion will not be allowed."
"We must abhor the politics of division. It is against our culture. There is difference between governance and politics. The two must not be mixed," she said at a communal harmony rally organised by her party near the Gandhi statue in Kolkata to mark the anniversary of Babri Mosque.
"Do not spare me even if I commit a wrong. But only spreading lies, canards and vilification campaign and attempts to create riots is not religion," she said.
"One thing should be clear - we will not accept politics of division, destroying the temple and setting fire to mosque. What was the need to create trouble in a church in Delhi?" she asked while addressing the rally.
Ms Banerjee accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of selling out the country.
"They are selling the country. We have a social responsibility. What has the new government done? FDI in Railways, FDI in Defence, deregulating the diesel prices. They have hiked excise duty on fuel," she said.
"We are fulfilling the commitment we made to the people. We are fulfilling the promises we made in our manifesto," Ms Banerjee said referring to her party upping the ante against the Centre over several issues concerning the masses.
"I will only work for the people. Those who have a sense of responsibility cannot commit any wrong. Nothing can be taken for granted," she said.
Ms Banerjee, whose party is facing the heat over the Saradha scam with some of its leaders in jail after being arrested by CBI, said, "You cannot scare us with the threat of jailing us. We have seen enough struggles. We are ready to fight politically. We must maintain courtesy in politics."
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Amader dhomkale amra chomkai. Amader chomkale amra borshai (We roar if we are threatened. We pour out if we are browbeaten)," she said.
Apparently hinting at using CBI for political purpose, Ms Banerjee said that cases which had been given to it earlier did not yield results.
She cited CBI's failure to trace the missing people of Nandigram in East Midnapur district of West Bengal since 2007.
She also referred to CBI's failure to trace the Nobel medal and other memorabilia of Rabindranath Tagore stolen from Rabindra Bhavan museum in Santiniketan in 2004.
"We have not forgotten the atrocities by CPI(M) cadre. We gave the slogan "
Badlav chahiye, Badla nahin" after Trinamool Congress came to power dislodging the Left Front, she said.
Pointing out that politics is about working for all equally, Ms Banerjee said, "All Madrasas are being painted as supporters of terror. This is wrong. People with track record of communal politics, are pointing fingers at others.
"Criminals are criminals. Terrorists are terrorists. That is their only identity. If a road accident happens, will you go and find out the religious identity of victim and perpetrators?" she asked.
"Let us live for unity. Let us speak for unity. Let us breathe for unity. I am the protector of the people in Bengal. To harm them, you have to first harm me. When Kolkata was burning on December 6, 1992 I was travelling across the city, attending to victims. I will not allow communal violence in Bengal," Ms Banerjee said.
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Koi parampara hum todne nahin denge. Zaroorat padne par desh ke ekta ke liye kurbani dene ke liye taiyar hai (We will not allow to disturb the tradition. If necessary to uphold Hindu Muslim unity for the sake of our country, we are ready to sacrifice our lives)", she said.
"Have faith on us. We want your trust. I have no family. You are my family. I am your guard, Banerjee assured the people of her government's determination to foil any attempt to create division between Hindus and Muslims in the state.
Referring to INA set up by Netaji Subhas Chandra whose general was Shahnawaz Khan, she said, "We love people of all caste, creed, religion, and sect. Communal harmony is our motto. We want Dharma Gurus not Danga Gurus."