Mamata Banerjee has been leading the anti-CAA protests. (Photo Credit: File Photo)
New Delhi:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an anti-CAA rally in Siliguri on Friday. Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Banerjee asked why PM Modi frequently compares India with Pakistan. “India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan? Are you the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan. Why do you refer to Pakistan in every issue," the Chief Minister asked.
"On one hand the prime minister is saying there will be no NRC but on the other, the union home minister and other ministers are claiming that the exercise will be conducted across the country," she added. The statement adds to the showdown between Bengal and the government at the Centre.
Mamata Banerjee has been leading the anti-CAA protests. Earlier, she had said that there will not be any detention center in the state as long as she was alive. She said that no one can snatch away our rights like citizenship. Earlier, on Thursday, Banerjee had warned the BJP against 'playing with fire' asserting that peaceful protests will continue as long as the new citizenship law is not withdrawn. In last week of December, Banerjee held three back-to-back rallies against the citizenship law. Addressing a rally in the city, the Trinamool Congress chief alleged that the BJP is trying to brand the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as a fight between Hindus and Muslims.
Iterating that the contentious law and the NRC won’t be allowed in West Bengal, Banerjee said that BJP was founded in 1980 and was asking for citizenship documents of 1970 from the people. “We are born here and that is our biggest identity. BJP does not have the right to determine our citizenship. Do we have to wear BJP’s amulet to prove our citizenship? A party which was formed in 1980 is seeking documents from those who were born in 1950s, 60s, 70s,” she quipped.
