While addressing at the inauguration of a Durga Puja, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she does not believe in any minority appeasement and such comments against her are highly insulting.
Denying all the allegations of appeasing the Muslims Banerjee said that she believes in the religion of humanity and to maintain peace and harmony among all religions.
These comments of the West Bengal Chief Minister comes as a result of the decision taken by the Calcutta High Cout to overrule the ban of Durga idol immersion ban imposed by the Banerjee government. A few days back Banerjee government had announced that the immersion of the Durga Murtis will be only until 10 pm on 30 Sep as after that the processions of Mohram will begin.
Two petitioners demanding to lift the ban for immersion had filed petitions in the Calcutta High Court. Responding to the petitions, the court on Thursday announced that the ban on immersion will not be applicable and both the rituals of the Durga Idol immersion and Moharam will take place side by side.
Regarding this incident the opposition had alleged that just to please the Muslim community in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee had imposed the ban. To this, the Bengal Chief Minister replied that “I do not believe in appeasement. These comments are deeply insulting. I believe in the religion of humanity that talks about the harmony among all the religions.”
Mamata Banerjee further accused the Central government plotting conspiracies against her government. She said that the government at the Centre with the help of several agencies conspire against her. She further added that she is a strong believer of the divine power and is confident that she will be able to win over all the demons and conspiracies.
Questioning the people accusing her of adopting appeasement policy she asked that she participates in the functions of all communities with equal enthusiasm, why is only being accused of having a soft heart for the Muslims. She said that she when she attends any Muslim festival people call it appeasement, but nobody terms it appeasement if she attends the Chhat puja, or participate in the celebrations of Buddha Purnima, or go to the temples, or attend midnight masses on Christmas.
Opposing the court’s decision she said that “It is not the custom to immerse the goddess on a Saturday or on Ekadashi (the day after Dussehra). So where was the problem? Some people are trying to demean the festival. They are trying to disrupt peace.”
She also warned that by forcing both the processions of Durga idol immersion and Moharam to take place together, those conspiring against the state will have to take responsibility if the peace is hampered. She said that “If anybody tries to create unrest, I would be their biggest enemy. If anyone conspires to disturb the peace, they would have to take the responsibility.”
The court has also rejected the plea filed by the Banerjee government requesting stay order on the decision of the court. The case will come up for hearing again after five months when the festival vacation will end.