'Don't Teach Me': Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Hits Back At Govt Over Bangladeshi Refugee Shelter Row
Bangladesh had flagged concerns over West Bengal CM's promise to provide shelter to refugees from the neighbouring violence-hit nation.
After the Ministry of External Affairs objected to West Bengal Chief Minister's remarks on offering shelter to refugees from violence-hit Bangladesh, Mamata Banerjee hit back at the Centre saying that she knows the policy better than anyone else and shouldn't be taught a lesson.
"I know the federal structure very well. I was an MP seven times, I was a Union minister twice. I know the foreign policy better than anyone else. They shouldn’t teach me a lesson; they should learn from the system instead," Banerjee said.
She further said that she was bound to offer shelter to the refugees under the resolution of the United Nations. The Trinamool Congress chief also said that her words were twister by BJP leaders and by Bangladesh.
Following her remarks last week, Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry had also objected to her remarks, saying that it could create confusion and mislead the public.
What She Said
On the occasion of Martyr’s Day, she said at a public event in Kolkata: "I cannot speak anything about Bangladesh as it is another country. The Indian government will speak about that. But if helpless people (from Bangladesh) knock on Bengal’s door, we will give them shelter. There is a resolution of the UN. Neighbours will respect refugees."
Later she had also shared a post on X wherein she reiterated her support for the students who returned to Bengal.
Hundreds of students and others are returning to West Bengal/ India, from the trouble-torn Bangladesh.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 21, 2024
I have asked our State administration to render all help and assistance to the returnees.
For instance, around 300 students arrived at Hilli border today and most of them left…
Bangladesh Objects To Banerjee's Remarks
Communicating through the diplomatic channels, Bangladesh expressed its displeaure and noted that Banerjee's remarks "may help terrorists".
"With due respect to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, I would like to say, we have excellent relations with her. We have deep relations. But her remarks created confusion to some extent, and there is scope to be misled. We have given a note to the Govt of India on this issue,” Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said.
'Foreign Relations Are Centre's Sole Prerogative': MEA
MEA confirmed that it had received an objection from Dhaka over the Bengal CM's remarks and stressed that matters involving foreign relations are the "sole prerogative of the central government".
"Under the Seventh Schedule -- List One -- Union List -- item 10 of our Constitution, the conduct of foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country are the sole prerogative of the Union government," Jaiswal stated.
VIDEO | "I can confirm that we have received such a communication from the Bangladesh side. It is essentially on the lines described in the reports... I would underline that under the Seventh schedule -- List one -- Union List -- item 10 of our Constitution, the conduct of… pic.twitter.com/wf2vEVDKGh
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2024
BJP Slams Bengal CM
BJP leader Amit Malviya had reacted to Bangladesh's statement and posted a video of Hasan's remarks from his handle on X, calling Banerjee "a constant source of embarrassment, not just for West Bengal but also for India, now."
"Bangladesh Foreign Minister Mahmud has taken objection to West Bengal CM’s recent statement on providing shelter to helpless people (from Bangladesh),” he wrote on X.
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