'Trying To Malign West Bengal': CM Banerjee Amidst Uproar Over Attack On ED Team

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Kolkata has been named the safest city in the country for years, Banerjee said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Source : PTI

In the midst of the uproar over the attack on three ED personnel, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed on Monday that people challenging the state's law and order situation were attempting to discredit the state, news agency PTI reported. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Kolkata has been named the safest city in the country for years, Banerjee said. Without naming any particular incident, she stated: "I am not bothered about criticisms against me. But, I will protest if anyone tries to malign the state. Those questioning the law and order situation are trying to malign the state." 

On Friday, hundreds of supporters of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh assaulted three ED officials and vandalised many of their vehicles. The incident occurred during a search on Sheikh's home in Sandeshkhali in connection with alleged anomalies in the state's ration system.

Speaking with media about TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said: "Whoever has taken the law in their hands or have broken any laws, we will take strict action against them."

#WATCH | South 24 Parganas: On TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar says, "Whoever has taken the law in their hands or have broken any laws, we will take strict action against them." pic.twitter.com/em3wDQd5mV

— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024

"So many rumours are spread throughout the day. If there is one isolated incident in the morning, it is dissected and discussed all day long, while positive news receives little attention. If Bengal is portrayed negatively, I will not accept it without a fight," the CM said while speaking at the 'Students' Week' programme. 

Slamming some TV talk shows, she remarked: "They (these channels) are interested in spreading negative information. I once asked one of them why they continuously show one incident for 24 hours, and the reply was 'Didi, this is for TRP.' We have to keep the fire burning all day long." Banerjee questioned how the law and order situation could be as bad as depicted by these groups, given that the central government had recognised the Srirampur police station in Hooghly district as a model police station in the country for its track record in addressing public grievances and cases.

Promoting positive thinking in students, she said: "If you think negatively, your mind will become negative. Conflict will harm you. Always have good thoughts and avoid negativity. A positive approach will help you become better human beings."

Asserting that she will never allow Bengal's spirit of peace, harmony, and brotherhood to be shattered, the CM said: "We had poets like Kazi Nazrul Islam, who was born in the state and composed a large number of Shyama Sangeets (songs in praise of the Hindu goddess Kali). Nazrul and Rabindranath Tagore wrote songs of equality and humanity. Bengal is a place that has never promoted division between temples and mosques."

The CM announced two new student programmes that will provide them with free training and internships.

She stated that the 'Kanyashree' initiative has earned UNESCO worldwide attention since its inception in 2013.

She stated that in order to prevent ragging at higher education institutions, the state has established a toll-free helpline for filing complaints.

She accused the previous Left Front-led CPI(M) administration of "depriving our boys and girls of learning English up to class 5 in state-run and state-aided schools," adding, "Our government, on the other hand, started English medium schools to meet the demand."

"However, we have maintained the policy of students learning through their mother tongue as their first language," she explained.

"Our government believes in connecting the old, medieval, and modern eras in our policy for the holistic development of students," she added.

Banerjee demanded that two novels by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda be included in the school curriculum.

The chief of the TMC accused the federal government of withholding funding required to construct a fast-track court infrastructure to combat crimes against women.

"Despite this, we have made efforts to fulfill our commitments by establishing women's police stations and implementing other facilities. Look at the number of women's police stations now," she concluded.