New Delhi: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has called for calm and restraint following provocative statements from certain Bangladeshi political leaders claiming legitimate rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. Addressing the West Bengal assembly on Monday, Banerjee reassured citizens that the state stands firmly by the decisions of the Union government and urged media and political entities to act responsibly.
“Will Indians just sit and have a lollipop when external forces try to occupy our lands?” Banerjee asked mockingly, referring to the recent remarks by a member of Bangladesh’s Nationalist Party.
First state to stage collective protests against unrest in Bangladesh
Banerjee emphasised the importance of maintaining peace in the state and condemned attempts to stir tensions. “The same blood flows in the veins of Hindus, Muslims, and all other communities. We must work together to ensure no harm comes to West Bengal,” she said, highlighting the solidarity shown by religious leaders, including imams, in condemning recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
The chief minister noted that West Bengal was the first state to stage collective protests against the unrest in Bangladesh, transcending caste, creed, and community lines. She cautioned against allowing provocative statements to disrupt communal harmony.
Foreign Secretary meets Bangladeshi counterpart
“Let us not get provoked. West Bengal will always uphold peace and harmony, regardless of such statements,” Banerjee said, adding that her government would follow the Ministry of External Affairs’ guidelines on international matters. Banerjee also urged media outlets to exercise caution in their reporting. “West Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh where we ban telecasts. But act responsibly. If unrest breaks out here, it will affect everyone,” she warned.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin, in Dhaka on Monday to discuss the strained bilateral ties following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. Misri’s day-long visit is the first high-level engagement between the two nations since the political upheaval in Bangladesh.
