On the historic occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary, and the country’s first ‘Parakram Diwas’, a grand event was organised at Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial. Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, an enthusiastic crowd was present for the commemoration of their beloved Netaji’s birth anniversary. As such, sloganeering and excitement were in the air of Victoria Memorial on Saturday. Slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ were raised by the audience – and one particular dignitary did not like the same. Guess who?
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, when invited to say a few words on the historic occasion, thought it befitting instead to boycott addressing the audience ‘in protest’ of Jai Shri Ram slogans being chanted when she was called on stage to speak. This, even as no less than PM Modi was present on stage. Yet, his presence did not stop Mamata from throwing a grand tantrum – perhaps aimed at derailing the momentum of the event and the sense of joy that the spectators were feeling.
An unperturbed PM Modi, despite Mamata’s tantrums, ensured that the celebrations went on smoothly, as soon after Banerjee’s ‘protest’, he took to speaking from the dais. Upon hearing chants of Jai Shri Ram, Mamata Banerjee had taken to lecturing lesser mortals among the audience, saying, “I think govt’s program should have dignity. This is not a political program… it doesn’t suit you to insult someone after inviting them. As a protest, I won’t speak anything.”
#WATCH | I think Govt's program should have dignity. This is not a political program….It doesn't suit you to insult someone after inviting them. As a protest, I won't speak anything: WB CM Mamata Banerjee after 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans were raised when she was invited to speak pic.twitter.com/pBvVrlrrbb
— ANI (@ANI) January 23, 2021
A TMC statement on the fiasco said, “during the government of India’s event on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 125th birth anniversary “Jai Shri Ram” slogans hurled. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee protests for not maintaining decorum at a Government event and reducing it to a political event by limiting her address to Jai Hind and Jai Bangla.”
It is interesting to note that a slogan like Jai Shri Ram, according to the TMC, was ‘hurled’ at their supremo as though it were some abuse or insult. This in itself goes a long way to show the anti-Hindu mindset of the ruling party in Bengal, which is finding it increasingly difficult by the day to hold on to power. Such antics of Chief Minister Mamata only work towards obliterating her own electoral fortunes.
This is not the first time that the TMC’s blatant Hinduphobia has come out in the open. Earlier in 2019, seven people were detained for chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ at the convoy of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In fact, Mamata even got down from her vehicle and lashed out at the Hindus, saying, “What do you think of yourself? You will come from other states, stay here and abuse us? I will not tolerate this. How dare you all abuse me? All of your names and details will be noted down.” The Hinduphobia of TMC would most definitely play a pivotal role in ensuring the party’s rout in the upcoming polls.