NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday voiced her concerns over prevailing situation Bangladesh and urged the Centre to seek United Nations intervention in the neighbouring country.
She proposed the deployment of an internationl peacekeeping mission to restore normalcy and called on PM Modi to take decisive action to rescue and rehabilitate persecuted Indians from Bangladesh.
Speaking in the West Bengal assembly, Banerjee demanded the external affairs minister to make a statement in Parliament during the ongoing winter session on India’s stance regarding the situation in Bangladesh. “If the Prime Minister is unavailable to address this issue, the EAM must step up and provide clarity,” she stated.
Bengal CM pointed out that as a state leader, she had limited jurisdiction over bilateral matters, but recent developments, including interactions with International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) representatives and families affected by the situation in Bangladesh, compelled her to raise the issue.
“If necessary, the EAM should engage with Bangladeshi authorities and the UN to consider deploying peacekeeping forces,” the CM said.
Banerjee also proposed that West Bengal could offer shelter to persecuted Indians if needed. “We have no problem sharing our resources with those in need. There will be no shortage of food for them,” she added.
The CM stressed the importance of maintaining harmony and fostering cordial relations among communities in Bangladesh. Referring to the arrest of 79 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladeshi waters, she highlighted the need for their immediate release, recalling India’s swift return of Bangladeshi fishermen in similar circumstances.
Mamata Banerjee condemns Centre’s inaction
Banerjee targeted the Union government for its silence over the past ten days despite rising tensions in Bangladesh. She also indirectly questioned the BJP for calling for the closure of goods movement along the India-Bangladesh border. “As per international agreements, such actions are not within our jurisdiction and can only be enforced by the Centre,” she clarified.
BJP’s Amit Malviya responds to Mamata’s comments
Meanwhile, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticised Banerjee’s comments, particularly her omission of the term “Hindus” while discussing the persecution of Indians in Bangladesh.
In a post on X, Malviya wrote: “Mamata Banerjee says, ‘If required, we can rehabilitate Indians attacked in Bangladesh. We have no problem sharing our ‘one roti’ with them.’ She doesn’t use the word Hindus. This explains her opposition to the CAA, which was meant to give dignity to Bengali refugees, most of them Hindus, fleeing religious persecution. India will take care of all Indians around the world. We don’t need a chief minister for it.”
