The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
BJP has a problem with anyone who eats fish: Mamata
CRITICISINGPMNARENDRAMODI’S recent remarks about Opposition leaders eating fish during Navaratri, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said the BJP has a problem with anyone who eats fish.
While the CM made the statement during a public meeting in Jalpaiguri Tuesday, the PM addressed a rally at Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district.
Addressing the gathering, Mamata said, “BJP leaders after seeing a Sikh call him Khalistani, term a Muslim Pakistani. If anyone eats fish, even then BJP has a problem. Who are you to decide what we will eat or wear?”
In February this year, an FIR was lodged against a group of BJP leaders for allegedly calling an IPS officer “Khalistani”.
“Everyone has their own customs and traditions but they will erase our diversity. They will decide everything for you... People might not be allowed to speak their minds. There will be no elections in the country, there will be no federal structure or Constitution, and only the Modi government will remain if they come to power,” she said.
Talking about the BJP'S manifesto, Mamata said, “I had predicted earlier that the CAA is the head of the fish, the NRC is the tail, and the UCC is the gut. If the BJP comes to power, everyone’s identity and liberty will be in danger – be it Tapashilis, Adivasis, Rajbangshis,matuas,kamtapuris, minorities, Hindus, or other indigenous communities.”
Mamata accused the Bjp-led Centre of stopping funds for the state under welfare schemes like the PM Awas Yojana and MGNREGA. “The people of north Bengal and Jangalmahal voted for the BJP but they blocked funds for MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana (for the state) for three years. Why should people vote for the BJP when 18 of their MPS went to Delhi to request a fund blockade against Bengal... ,” the CM said.
Meanwhile, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also hit out at the PM over his "fish” remark. “He is saying those who eat fish are desh virodhi and anti-hindu. We eat fish, are we anti-hindu or desh virodhi? If Nisith Pramanik (BJP candidate from Cooch Behar) wins, as directed by Mr Modi, they (BJP) will ban fish and stop Lakshmir Bhandar,” he said.