'There is nothing to fear, you go on supporting us': Mamata Banerjee urges Muslim community at Eid gathering

Assuring the Muslim community that they have nothing to fear, Banerjee said with its help she would fight "every battle" to save the country.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday chose the occasion of Eid on Wednesday to urge the Muslim community of her state to continue to support her.

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday chose the occasion of Eid on Wednesday to urge the Muslim community of her state to continue to support her. Assuring the Muslim community that they have nothing to fear, Banerjee said with its help she would fight "every battle" to save the country. Banerjee also acknowledged that the community has helped her uphold secularism, national unity, the ethos of the country and the state as also "every social work". Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress suffered reverses in the recent Lok Sabha elections, greeted people at Red Road here where a crowd of over 25,000 had gathered to offer 'namaz'. "In every social work, for the unity of the nation, secularism, tradition of the country and the state, for the development of the state, you always help us. You also deserve our help," she said. "If you are with us, then see, how we fight every battle. We will fight. There is nothing to be afraid," she said at an Eid-ul-Fitr congregation," Banerjee said at the gathering.

WB CM: There is nothing to be scared. Muddai Lakh bura chahe to kya hota hai, wahi hota hai jo manzoor-e-khuda hota hai. Sometimes when the sun rises, its rays are very harsh but later it fades away. Don't be scared, the faster they captured EVMs, the quicker they will go away. pic.twitter.com/vRtKHUZRQX

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2019

She further said one who is afraid is finished. But those who continue to fight, become successful. She also sent a strong message to her detractors on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr, saying "whoever messes with us will be decimated". "We will protect our India. We will never turn away from our country. Hum se jo takrayega, woh chur chur ho jayega," she said, in a jibe at the Central government. Banerjee has also been critical of BJP's use of the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram', alleging that the saffron party was mixing religion with politics by repeatedly using the phrase. The chief minister has lost her cool twice in the last few weeks over people chanting 'Jai Sri Ram' at some places in the state while her motorcade was passing through. "Hindus stand for 'tyaag' (renunciation), Muslims for 'imaan' (integrity), Christians for 'pyaar' (love) and Sikhs for 'balidan' (sacrifice). This is our beloved Hindustan and we will protect it," she told the gathering.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, in Kolkata: Tyaag ka naam hai Hindu, Imaan ka naam hai Musalman, Pyaar ka naam hai Isaai, Sikhon ka naam hai Balidan. Ye hai hamara pyaara Hindustan. Iski raksha humlog karenge. Jo humse takraega wo choor choor ho jaega. Ye hamara slogan hai. pic.twitter.com/ECsQKq1LkR

— ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2019

Notably, the TMC supremo has been alleging tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the general elections, and in the run up to it. (With inputs from agencies)