Kolkata witnessed hectic political activity on March 1, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah assuring a public rally that “no minority will have to leave” the country owing to the new Citizenship Act, while a march of BJP supporters set off shockwaves as they raised the party’s incendiary “ Goli Maaro... ” (Shoot the Traitors) slogan in the heart of the city.
Speaking at a public rally at the Sahid Minar grounds, Mr. Shah emphasised that a fear is being spread among sections of the population over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act , and added that “no minority from Kolkata or West Bengal will lose citizenship because of the CAA”.
The Minister reiterated that the CAA is a law to give citizenship, not to take it away. “The refugees are being made to fear that they will have to produce documents. Nothing of this sort will happen. Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jains do not need any documents,” he said.
He added that by opposing a law passed in Parliament , Ms. Banerjee was disrespecting the founding fathers of the Constitution.
Speaking at public rally at Sahid Minar grounds in Kolkata, Mr. Shah said that CAA is a law to give citizenship not take away citizenship.
Also read: Sporadic protests in Kolkata as Amit Shah addresses rally
“In 2014, the BJP got only 87 lakh votes. In 2019, you showered your love and supported us. We got 2.30 crore votes. Our march forward will continue,” the BJP leader said.
Mr. Shah also launched a new campaign targeted at the alleged “misrule” of the Trinamool Congress government. The campaign titled ‘Aar Noy Anyay’ (No more injustice) is aimed at countering the Trinamool’s ‘Didi ke Bolo’ (Tell Didi) campaign launched last year.
New campaign
Mr. Shah also launched a new campaign targeted at the alleged “misrule” of the Trinamool Congress government. The campaign titled ‘Aar Noy Anyay’ (No more injustice) is aimed at countering the Trinamool’s ‘Didi ke Bolo’ (Tell Didi) campaign launched last year.
Also read: Left, Congress criticise Mamata for meeting Amit Shah
CPI(M) blames Mamata
The provocative slogans at the BJP rally, held before Mr Shah’s public meeting, sparked a storm of condemnation from parties across the political spectrum, including the Trinamool Congress , the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Congress.
The CPI(M) also blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the incident and called for “a march” of all democratic forces on Monday.
CPI-M’s leader of the Left parties in the Assembly Sujan Chakravarty, said, “The slogan has now been imported to Bengal, courtesy Mamata Banerjee. We don't have the government of Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Shah could easily introduce the slogan.”
Demanding the arrest of BJP supporters participating the rally, CPI(M) leader Md. Salim appealed to “all democratic forces” to join Monday’s rally against the BJP.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee tweeted that “rather than coming and preaching in Bengal”, Mr. Shah “should have explained and apologised for failing to save more than 50 innocent lives in Delhi.”
Kolkata witnessed sporadic protests through the day against Mr. Shah’s visit. In Chittaranjan Avenue, close to the BJP’s rally venue of Shahid Minar, CPI (M) and the Congress supporters were involved in a scuffle with the police as they waved black flags and held up placards and posters reading “Go Back Shah”. Both parties and a coalition of more than 10 parties will participate in Monday’s march.
Pro-active security strategy
Earlier in the day at the inauguration of a facility of the National Security Guard (NSG) in Kolkata, Mr. Shah said the Narendra Modi government has adopted a “pro-active security strategy with zero tolerance of terrorism”.
“India is now held in respect across the world as far as security is concerned. The world has realised that India has the ability to avenge the blood of its jawans by venturing into the home of the enemy,” Mr. Shah said, referring to the surgical and air strikes.
