Muslim appeasement charges irk Mamata, says country belongs to everybody

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister is furious again. This time against all those who accuse her of appeasing Muslims. Addressing a special prayer gathering to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Red Road at Kolkata on Saturday, said that those who accuse her are neither the friends of Hindus nor Muslims.

Renowned as ‘Didi’ across Indian politics, Banerjee stated that she respects and love all communities and religion.  She said, “Some accuse me of (doing) Muslim appeasement. My question to them is whether loving Hindus means you have to hate Muslims. I respect and love all communities and religion. This country belongs to everybody.”

Taking on BJP and other organisations charging her of appeasing Muslims for political reasons, the Trinamool Congress supremo said, “Those who say I appease Muslims are friends of neither the Hindus nor the Muslims.”

NITI Aayog Meeting:

Questioning the central government officials move of fixing the date of June 16 for NITI Aayog meeting, the chief minister asked them whether they knew about Eid celebrations on that day or not? She also boosted the fact the fact that it was due to her efforts and protest that the officials were forced to change the date of meeting to June 17.

Addressing the people, she said, “My question to the Central government officials is whether they are not aware that Eid is scheduled to be celebrated on June 16. Why the Niti Aayog meeting was kept on that day? I had written to the Central government urging it to change the date so that it doesn’t clash with Eid.”

Initially, Banerjee had shared her unwillingness to attend the meeting on June 16, in view of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, but agreed to attend it after the Niti Aayog’s rescheduled its governing council meeting to June 17 in New Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where several state’s chief ministers are attendance is expected.

With Inputs from PTI

Photo Credit: www.englishsamachar.in