JOIN USNetaji event: CM Mamata refuses to speak after 'Jai Shree Ram' chants; says 'don't insult after calling me here'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday refused to speak at a programme held to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose following slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” raised by a section of the audience. An angry Mamata said that one should not insult someone after inviting that person and left the podium in a huff. The events unfolded in the presence of the Prime Minister.
The Chief Minister said that the government program should have “some dignity” adding that it was not a programme held by a political party.
“I think a government program should have some dignity. It’s a government programme and not a programme of some political party. I am grateful to the Prime Minister and the Union Cultural Ministry for holding this programme in Kolkata,” said Mamata.
She also said that in protest of such behaviour she would not speak at the programme.
“But you should not insult someone after inviting them. In protest of that I am not telling anything. Jai Hind. Jai Bangla,” said Mamata.
The trouble started after the chief minister was requested to address the gathering. Even as the anchor pleaded with the audience to “calm down and allow her (Mamata) to speak” the Chief Minister was heard saying in the background “no I will not say anything.”
However, the Prime Minister did not say anything about the incident.
The Prime Minister in his speech said that the “strong India” which Netaji dreamt of was now being seen by the world from the LAC to the LOC. Speaking at a program at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose he said that these days India was giving a befitting reply whenever it’s sovereignty was being challenged.
“ Netaji had dreamt of strong India, from LAC to LOC we are following his footsteps. Whenever our sovereignty was challenged, we have given a befitting reply,” said Modi.
The Prime Minister said that Netaji would have been proud to see how the armed forces of his country were using advanced weapons which he wanted.
“Today India not only has modern fighter jets such as the Rafael but also building advanced fighter jets such the Tejas. How would he have felt if he saw how powerful the armed forces of his country have become, how advanced weapons they are getting and which he wanted?” said Modi.
The Prime Minister also said that Netaji would have been pleased to see how the “new India” was taking shape.
“If he would have seen how his India... is producing modern medical solutions such as vaccine on it’s own...? How proud would he have been if he saw that India was helping other countries by providing them with vaccine?” said Modi.
While BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya tweeted, “Welcome with the slogan of Jai Shri Ram. Mamataji considers it insulting. What kind of politics is this!.” State BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya termed the incident as “unwarranted.”