NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday reacted to ongoing violence in the state, saying, “one shouldn’t play games with religion.”
She further urged protestors to maintain peace amid religious tensions.
“One shouldn’t play games with religion. Dharma means devotion, affection, humanity, peace, amity, culture, harmony, and unity. Loving human beings is one of the highest expressions of any religion. We are born alone and we die alone; so why the fight? Why the riots, war, or unrest?,” Banerjee said.
West Bengal CM’s statement came amid ongoing chaos in the state, with fresh violence reported on Monday evening.
While inaugurating the Kalighat Skywalk at Kalighat in Kolkata, she advised the people of West Bengal not to pay attention to misleading entities.
“Remember, one can win everything if we love people. But if we isolate ourselves, we won’t be able to win anyone. If someone is attacked – whether they are ignored, oppressed, deprived, marginalised, or from any religion – we stand by everyone.” she added.
Meanwhile, supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with the police at Bhangar in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Monday evening. This led to several injuries and the torching of multiple police vehicles.
The clash erupted after cops restricted the ISF supporters from joining an anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act rally being addressed at Ramlila Maidan in Kolkata by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique.
“Some police vehicles were set on fire by the protesters and a few police personnel were injured when the agitators attacked the law enforcers,” a senior police officer said.
