'Divisive Politics Won't Work in Bengal': Mamata Cautions People After Amit Shah's Speech in Kolkata

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday cautioned the people of West Bengal against divisive politics and said it will not work in the state.

Bengal is known for its hospitality and people of different faiths in the state practice their respective religions. But they assemble to celebrate a festival like Durga Puja, which unifies people of different faiths, she said.

"Everyone is welcome to our state and enjoy the hospitality of our people. But please don't profess any divisive politics... it will not work in Bengal," she said after inaugurating a community puja in south Kolkata.

"Please don't spread the religion of divisive politics. Please don't create rift among people. Bengal is known to respect leaders of different faiths for ages. This

can never be spoilt," she said.

Banerjee's comments followed Shah's speech at a BJP programme where he said that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be implemented in Bengal and that the chief minister had been misleading people on the issue.

"People of Bengal are being misled about the NRC ... I assure all Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain refugees that they won't have to leave the country ... They will get Indian citizenship and enjoy all the rights of an Indian national when the Citizenship Amendment Bill is passed in Parliament," Shah said earlier on Tuesday.

Shah, also BJP the president, had reiterated that all infiltrators will be thrown out of the country.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also hit out at Amit Shah saying that there is no law that excludes any faith in India and the Union home minister should stop "fostering divisions" in the country.

"India rejected the two-nation theory put forth by Savarkar and Jinnah, and that is our constitutional principle. India belongs to all Indians, irrespective of their caste, creed, gender, colour, creed, faith, eating habits, occupation or political beliefs," he said in a tweet.

Yechury alleged that the "puppet police" of the TMC had arrested CPI(M) state committee member Palash Das and 16 others who were showing black flags to the home minister upon his arrival.

(With inputs from agencies)