On July 21, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee delivered a bold statement during the Trinamool Congress ‘Martyrs Day’ rally on recent student protests in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is burning with the anti-conservation movement. Tremendous chaos, life is pouring out. Mamata gave a big message in that atmosphere.
Mamata Banerjee said, ‘I can’t talk about Bangladesh because it’s another country. The government of India is talking about it. But, if the people of Bangladesh knock on the door of Bangla, I will shelter them.’ Besides her message, she also said, ‘Don’t step into any persuasion about Bangladesh. Let us not cause any disturbance.’
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned a United Nations resolution aimed at shelters for refugees in regions adjacent to those facing disturbances. She provided an example, citing the ethnic conflict in Assam, and mentioned that West Bengal had sheltered people from the neighboring state during that period.
Reason for Bangladesh Student Protest
Bangladesh is under fire regarding the student protests demanding the cancellation of 30 percent of reservations for government jobs for the families of the war veterans who fought the 1971 war. The Sheikh Hasina government has issued a nationwide curfew to deal with the situation. The army is down. On the other hand, the death toll in mob-police clashes is over hundreds. All schools and colleges in Bangladesh have been closed indefinitely.
The dispute over reservation was pending in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the country rejected the judgment of the High Court and ordered to amend the reservation. Supreme Court is now reducing the quota from 30 percent to 5 percent. Supreme Court also said that 93 percent of the jobs would be on a merit basis, and the remaining 2 percent are reserved for ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled category.
The entire country, including Dhaka, came to a standstill on Thursday due to the complete shutdown program of students agitating for quota reform. In addition to the capital, 47 districts of the country witnessed protests, blockades, counter-chases, police attacks, and clashes throughout the day. It was reported that over 150 people were killed in these incidents.
Mamata Banerjee stated on X that “Hundreds of students and others are returning to West Bengal/ India, from the trouble-torn Bangladesh. I have asked our State administration to render all help and assistance to the returnees. For instance, around 300 students arrived at the Hilli border today and most of them left for their respective destinations safely: 35 of them, however, needed help and we provided them with basic amenities and facilitation assistance. United we stand!”
Hundreds of students and others are returning to West Bengal/ India, from the trouble-torn Bangladesh.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 21, 2024
I have asked our State administration to render all help and assistance to the returnees.
For instance, around 300 students arrived at Hilli border today and most of them left…
Mamata Banerjee's hypocrisy has been exposed!
— BJP (@BJP4India) July 22, 2024
She denied refuge to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, and Christians under the CAA, but wants to welcome refugees from Bangladesh.
Her double standards and disregard for the Constitution are apparent.
She must recognize that… pic.twitter.com/uxvCShxgBJ
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said in counter to Mamata Banerjee’s statement, “Mamata Banerjee said yesterday that whatever is happening in Bangladesh, she will keep her doors open and will let them enter West Bengal. Mamata Ji, you are the same person who said about CAA that we will not let any Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, or Christian refugee suffering from violence enter Bengal. Mamata ji has always opposed CAA, whereas CAA had no relation with the citizens of India, be it Hindu or Muslim…Mamata ji, Akhilesh Yadav, and Rahul Gandhi keep talking about the Constitution. Do you have the right in the Constitution? This right belongs to the Government of India. This power does not belong to the state government…”
