Urging people from different communities to stay united West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said there is an environment of intolerance in the country.
“I know the atmosphere of intolerance has given this country a lot of pain. But, we do not think that way. We are here for all. We are united,” Ms. Banerjee said at a gathering on the city’s Red Road, where thousands of people observed Id-ul-Fitr prayers.
“We are insaan (humans) first, Hindus, Muslims or Christians later,” she said amid cheers from the crowds.
This was the first public appearance of the Chief Minister after receiving United Nations highest award for public service to State’s Kanyashree scheme. Ms. Banerjee received the award on June 23 which is UN Public Service Day at The Hague in Netherlands. Representatives of Muslim community congratulated the Chief Minister for receiving the award.
Ms. Banerjee said that in times like this, one has to “show courage and conviction”. “Stay together. No one will be able to do anything to you,” she told the gathering.
