New Delhi [India], May 5 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her visit to violence-hit Murshidabad, accusing her of visiting the district only after anger had risen among Hindus in Bengal. He alleged that Banerjee reached Murshidabad after 27 days to "shed crocodile tears."
Singh claimed that under Mamata Banerjee's rule, Hindus are not safe, and asserted that the people of Bengal have come to realise this.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "Mamata Banerjee does vote bank politics and appeasement politics...She is the same Mamata Banerjee who had said that no one can expel any Bangladeshi in her presence...(In Murshidabad) Everything was done under the protection of the administration. When a feeling of anger arose among all Hindus in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee reached Murshidabad after 27 days to shed crocodile tears...Hindus are not safe there under her rule. The people of Bengal have understood this."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the violence-hit Murshidabad district on Monday to meet riot victims as part of her two-day visit to the district.
Addressing a press conference in Berhampore, CM Mamata Banerjee claimed that last month's violence in Murshidabad was orchestrated and well-planned.
"When I carry out any political activity, for me, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, all are equal. I don't want people of any religion to get attacked. Within one day of the incident, the National Commission for Women arrived here. They did not go to Manipur, Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan. This incident has been orchestrated, and it was well planned. Those who have provoked this violence, Bengal will not tolerate such people. I am not against anyone, but I am against riots," she said.
CM Banerjee also explained why she delayed her visit to Murshidabad until peace had been restored.
"I could have gone to Murshidabad earlier, but till the time stability is not attained and peace does not return, we should not go and disturb. Now the situation has normalised, but I had to attend the Jagannath Dham programme, which was announced many days ago. So, after attending the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony today, I am going to Murshidabad," Mamata Banerjee said.
During her visit, CM Banerjee announced that she would be visiting Behrampur on Monday and Dhuliyan on Tuesday to distribute compensation and hold a public distribution program in Suti before returning to Kolkata on Wednesday.
"Today I will reach Behrampur. Tomorrow I will reach Dhuliyan and provide the necessary compensation to the people whose houses and shops have been damaged. Those who have lost their property will also be assessed. In Suti, I will organise a public distribution programme. Then I will return to Kolkata on Wednesday," Mamata Banerjee said.
The violence erupted on April 11 in Murshidabad during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The violence resulted in two deaths, several injuries, and property damage. Thousands of people fled their homes in search of safety.
The protest later spread to other districts, including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, where incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades were reported.