It is a Bangalee hatao movement going on in Assam: Mamata Banerjee on NCR

KOLKATA: Calling the process of making National Citizen’s Register (NCR) in Assam as “Bangalee Hatao” movement, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has yet again put efforts to woo sections of the religious and linguistic minority. Amid tension over the first draft of NCR in Assam, Banerjee walks on the path of appeasement politics with this comment, claimed the political observers.

“What kind of politics the government has started playing Assam? They have kept out at least 1 crore out of the NCR. This is nothing but a Bengali Hatao movement. This is political conspiracy hatched against the Bengalis living in Assam,” said the Trinamool Congress supremo while addressing a public meeting in Birbhum district.

“In democratic set up, people from any state can live or work in any other state in the country. Many people from other states live here in Bengal and many Bengalis live in other states. Some people in BJP governments at centre and in Assam are doing to satisfy their vested political interest. But Trinamool Congress will not tolerate any kind of torture on Bengalis. If Assam boils, then it will also affect my state as we share border. So, we cannot keep shut,” added the chief minister instructing her party leaders to stage dharna in the city and districts protesting against ‘torture’ on Bengalis.


Significantly, in 2012, following an ethnic riot in Assam, Banerjee said that she would provide shelter to those who are fleeing Assam. Her government set up more than 50 camps in neighbouring Coohbehar district to provide food and shelter to the displaced people.

“If people are attacked in Assam, I will not sit idle,” she added. As word of caution to the BJP government, Banerjee said, “Do not play with fire. One person has already committed suicide not finding his name in the list. The government should think about it. We are hearing that they are planning to oust Bengalis from Assam. If this happens, there would be tension across the country. Do not fuel tension and do not create divide.”