Mamata Banerjee’s growing despair and anxiety at BJP’s rising popularity in the state clearly knows no bounds. Unsure of competing with a party campaigning on the principles of good governance, inclusive development and cultural revival of West Bengal, Mamata is left tactless. In her latest absurd notion, she has come out with a desire to declare Christmas as a ‘National Holiday’.
Attempting to incite hatred of the Christian community against the BJP, TMC Supremo said, “Why is Christmas not a national holiday? What harm have Christians done? I made the same demand last year. The BJP government came and changed it… Some people can only divide the country. We celebrate Christmas as a public holiday in our state. Don’t they have any respect for the sentiments of Christians?” She further continued, “Is there secularism in India? I am sorry to say that a typical politics of hatred is going on.”
Why Jesus Christ's birthday can't be a national holiday? Why BJP govt has withdrawn it? Everybody has sentiments. What harm have Christians done? Is there secularism in India? I am sorry to say, a typical religious hatred politics is going on: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pic.twitter.com/psY2NFHbX4
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2020
Someone from TMC really needs to explain to Mamata Banerjee that India has only three national holidays, and none of them is related to any religion. The three national holidays of India are namely-Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti, which apply to all citizen of the nation.
In a truly secular state, the government mechanism is not concerned with any religious holiday, and treat all equally. But apparently, Mamata Banerjee wants to distribute National Holidays as her new appeasement gift ahead of the assembly polls next year.
It is pertinent to note that in the Centre’s list, Christmas remains a public holiday, and so are Diwali and Eid.
Hitting out at Mamata’s hypocrisy, BJP State General Secretary Sayantan Basu said, “It is she who violated secular values by declaring monthly stipend for the Imams of the state’s mosques. A person who makes political statements from administrative meetings everyday has no right to talk about the Constitution.”
Mamata Bannerjee, for long, has played appeasement politics to gain control of West Bengal. While she has been usurping the Muslim votes to gain power in the state, Asaduddin Owaisi’s entry into West Bengal politics has turned her towards other influential sects. Owaisi has announced that he will be contesting the state assembly elections in 2021.
This reaction is also coupled with Amit Shah’s very successful visit to the state a couple of days ago. The Home Minister’s rally and roadshow were massively popular amongst the people and were attended by a large crowd. This has clearly left Mamata Banerjee rattled and has got her weaving preposterous narratives, to stay relevant ahead of the crucial assembly elections.
