“I believe in festivals that unite…” Mamata Banerjee calls Ram Mandir inauguration a ‘gimmick’ ahead of elections

Breaking her silence over the Ram mandir inauguration, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has lashed out at BJP, calling the January 22 inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “gimmick” ahead of elections. 

“Yesterday someone asked me about Ram Mandir, as if there is no other work left. I said, religion belongs to individuals but festivals are for all. I believe in festivals that unite. No one has objected to the temple, you are building it following the court order. You are doing the inauguration ahead of elections for a gimmick. I don’t have a problem. But you can’t divide & neglect other communities”, said Mamata Banerjee while speaking at an event at Joynagar in South 24 Parganas district.

Her remarks are indicatively an endorsement of the speculations, if she like several other opposition leaders would skip the inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. Banerjee, however, hasn’t officially confirmed about her attendance in the consecration ceremony. 

She warned people to stay alert, united and be wary of anyone trying to either spread misinformation or create rift in the society ahead of elections for political benefits. Mamata Banerjee urged people to start a crusade against deep fakes, manipulative videos and asked them to report to police immediately and also make counter videos in order to circulate the truth. Calling BJP a divisive force, she claimed, as long as she is in power, nothing could divide the people of Bengal. 

“But I make a waada (pledge) and swear by Ishwar and Allah that as long as the Trinamul Congress government is in power, I will not allow any division among Hindus and Muslims or, for that matter, between any other communities,” she added.