Kolkata: Terming the ongoing violence and arson in the state over the citizenship law as a "few minor incidents", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said just because the BJP has requisite numbers in Parliament, it cannot bully the states into enforcing the law.
Addressing a gathering against the Citizenship Act and the National Register for Citizenship (NRC), Mamata said, “They (BJP) are distinguishing people with their caps. They are identifying you with the clothes you wear. The country is passing through its worst phase and they talks about clothes.”
“Can they tell me who I am with the dress I am wearing? Can they tell me who is he (pointing at film director Gautam Ghose) with the dress he is wearing? What is going on?” she fumed.
Mamata's comments came after Modi in a rally in Jharkhand had blamed the recent violence over the Citizenship Act blamed the Congress and "their allies" saying that those who are responsible can be identified by their clothes.
" Whatever the BJP is doing is for their own vested interest. They are indulging in divisive and hate politics, the result of which is in front of everyone. Look what is happening in Assam. Look what is happening in Tripura. In the coming days, even the citizens of BJP ruled states will also oppose this. According to them, we are not Indians. According to them, those who have fought for the freedom struggle are not Indians and they (BJP leaders/workers/supporters) are the only Indians,” Mamata said.
The Trinamool Congress supremo also spoke about the situation in Assam saying that nearly 100 people have committed suicide while others were shot dead.
"In Bengal 30, people have committed suicide due to NRC. Who will take the responsibility of their deaths?" she said and urged people to protest but not to take law and order in their own hands.
Mamata also claimed that the Centre has stopped railway services in the state over "one or two minor incidents" of violence. "Owing to one or two small incidents, the Centre has stopped railways services in Bengal. It is the duty of the Railway Protection Force personnel to protect railway property, yet we provided them support.
Condemning the violence at Jamia Millia University in Delhi, the CM said the "torture meted out to the students at the varsity was unprecedented".
Alleging that the BJP was instigating violence in the country, she said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in a hurry in Parliament. "The BJP didn't give opposition parties time to think and discuss the bill. It sought its passage in a hurry," she added.
A day before Mamata had spoken staunchly against the Citizenship Act and asked the protestors to write a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, in which they should etch their names in blood.
“I would like to tell the ‘majority section’ that this battle is not for the ‘minorities’ alone. This is a battle for all. This is a battle for our existence. Go for signature campaigns holding black flags,” she added.
In opposition to the Centre's order, she also stayed orders on work related to the National Population Register (NPR) across the state.
An official order issued by the additional secretary of Home and Hill Affairs Department read, "I am directed to inform you that all activities regarding the preparation and updation of the National Population Register (NPR) are hereby stayed in West Bengal. No activity regarding NPR may be taken up without prior clearance from the state government. The order has been issued in the interest of public order”.
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