Birbhum (West Bengal) [India], July 28 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she is not against any language or community and supports unity in diversity.
Addressing the Bhasha Andolan in Birbhum, Mamata Banerjee said, "I am not against any language or divisive policy. We want unity in diversity. Have I told Hindi-speaking people to leave Bengal? I never said that. You are also my friends...There are 1.5 crore migrant workers in Bengal, and 22 lakh people from Bengal work in other states. You should stop your oppression."
Banerjee said many Hindi-speaking people joined the rally and thanked them for their support.
She noted that Bengal is home to 1.5 crore migrant workers, while 22 lakh people from the state work in other parts of the country.
Banerjee said people should be proud of their identity and not forget Bengal's key role in India's freedom struggle.
"People of all age groups took part in today's rally. I'm especially thankful to the many Hindi-speaking people who also joined us. Without naming anyone, I just said one thing during India's freedom movement, Bengal played a leading role. Whatever you do in life, always remember your roots. Never forget your identity," she said.
A row over the Bengali language surfaced after Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress raised the issue during the 'Shahid Dibas' (Martyrs' Day) celebrations on July 21.
Addressing the 'Maha Nayak Samman' Awards on Thursday, the West Bengal Chief Minister said, "Another Bhasha Andolan is needed to awaken everyone. People are being harassed for speaking Bengali in many places. Bengali is the fifth most spoken language in the world, and the second most spoken in Asia. Around 30 crore people speak Bengali, and today, Bengali speakers are being sent to jail."
Calling for wider public engagement, she urged for programmes to be held across all levels to raise awareness.
"I cannot accept this, and I believe you cannot either. People cannot be detained just for speaking Bengali. We cannot tolerate this. Programmes must be organised on this issue at all levels. This issue is not just mine; it belongs to everyone. Bengal is everything to us. We must protect this land," she added.