Divisive Politics Will Not Work In Bengal: Mamata Banerjee Reacts To Amit Shah's NRC Statement

Soon after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday annnounced that the Narendra Modi government will extend the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cautioned the people of the state against divisive politics and said it will not work in Bengal.

Bengal is known for its hospitality and people of different faiths in the state practice their respective religions. But they assemble to celebrate a festival like Durga Puja, which unifies people of different faiths, she said.

"Everyone is welcome to our state and enjoy the hospitality of our people. But please don't profess any divisive politics ... It will not work in Bengal," she said inaugurating a community puja in south Kolkata.

Addressing a seminar on the controversial NRC, which has hitherto been restricted to Assam, Shah said West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was misleading people about the citizenship roll.

"People of Bengal are being misled about the NRC ... I assure all Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain refugees that they won't have to leave the country ... They will get Indian citizenship and enjoy all the rights of an Indian national when the Citizenship Amendment Bill is passed in Parliament," Shah said.

"Please don't spread the religion of divisive politics. Please don't create rift among people. Bengal is known to respect leaders of different faiths for ages. This can never be spoilt," she said.

Shah, also BJP president, had assured that all infiltrators will be thrown out of the country.

(With PTI inputs)