Mamata Banerjee cites SIR deaths, bats for voting rights

Kolkata: Expressing sadness over the death of 50 people during the Bengal SIR, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday emphasised that every person's democratic and voting rights must be preserved and said the "fight will continue", as she laid the foundation stone of Durgangan, a temple complex dedicated to Goddess Durga in New Town.

She stressed the inclusivity of all religions and said that though people accuse her of "appeasement", she is "secular".

"I am tolerating, but there is a limit to how much I can tolerate (indicating SIR). Let the new year come and democracy in 2026 be preserved and people's dreams come true," Banerjee said, as she spoke about people's democratic rights and how voting rights are being questioned through the SIR. She expressed anguish over the death of 50 people and the hardships being faced due to the Bengal SIR, and prayed to Ma Durga for protecting common people.


"People accuse me of appeasement. I am secular and have faith in all religions. I belong to the land of Netaji Subhas Bose and Binoy-Badal-Dinesh," Banerjee said. Playing what appeared to be a soft Hindutva card, Banerjee laid the foundation stone of Durgangan, a temple complex dedicated to Goddess Durga in New Town.