Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee announced a ‘rally for harmony’ from Hazra Crossing to Park Circus Maidan with people from all religions on January 22, the day of Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya.
“You all keep asking me about various temples. I have nothing to say about it. I say religion is a personal issue, festivals are for everyone. We celebrate January 23, January 26. On January 22, we will hold a rally,” the TMC supremo informed.
After offering puja at Kalighat temple, one of the biggest pilgrim centres of eastern India, she will hold a rally on behalf of her, Banerjee remarked.
“First, I will be visiting Kalighat temple and offer puja. Then I will start the inter-faith or communal harmony rally with people of all religions. The rally will begin from Hazra crossing in south Kolkata and culminate at Park Circus where a public meeting will be held, she said, adding: “Peace and communal harmony rally will also be held in all districts and blocks the same day.”
The rally in Kolkata that will be led by Banerjee will touch upon places of worship of different religions, including mosques, churches and gurdwaras.
Addressing the media persons, Banerjee clarified that her rally should not be interpreted as a protest against the Ram temple consecration.
“I believe that the ‘Pran Pratistha’ or consecration ceremony should be done by the priests. I have full respect for them. I have heard what they (the Shankaracharyas) have said,” Banerjee stated.
Elucidating on the rally, she said: “Our rally is aimed at connecting people from all castes, creeds and religions ahead of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birthday anniversary celebrations on January 23.”
A few days back, Banerjee while addressing a public distribution programme at Joynagar in South 24-Parganas had accused the BJP of ‘doing an election gimmick’ over the consecration of Ram temple at Ayodhya ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Banerjee had stated that she does not support festivities that exclude other communities.
“I believe in a festival which takes everyone together and talks about unity. You (BJP) are doing a gimmick before the Parliamentary elections, do it, but disregard for people of other communities is not right,” Banerjee had said.
She had made it clear that as long as the Trinamool Congress government was in power in Bengal, she would not allow discrimination along religious lines.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state government will be bestowing special honour on the medal winners of the 19th Asian Games and National Para Games. The ceremony will be held on January 25 at Dhana Dhanye Auditorium or Netaji Indoor Stadium.
The Chief Minister also announced that a special public outreach programme ‘Jana Sanjog’ would be held from January 20 to February 12 at all polling station levels to help people avail of state government schemes.