‘Declare Amit Shah PM’: Mamata Banerjee Slams Centre On Modi's Role, ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a stinging criticism of the BJP-led central government, rejecting its decision to mark June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day) and accusing the ruling party of subverting democratic principles while claiming to protect them.
Speaking at the state secretariat, Mamata declared that her government would not observe the day, labelling the Centre’s move as “a mockery of democracy and the Constitution”, according to PTI.
“We will not observe June 25 as Constitution Murder Day. This is nothing but hypocrisy. Those who do not respect the Constitution are now preaching about its morality. It is a mockery,” Mamata told reporters.
“BJP Weakens Constitution Daily,” Says Mamata Banerjee
The TMC supremo took sharp aim at the Centre, saying the BJP had weakened democratic institutions while pretending to uphold constitutional values.
“Given the way the BJP is trying to change and weaken the Constitution every day, we could observe ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ daily,” she said.
She questioned the BJP’s actions in Maharashtra and Bihar, referring to the fall of elected governments as unconstitutional, and said key democratic institutions like the Election Commission and media had been compromised.
“They have ensured that the pillars of democracy — be it the Election Commission or the media — are no longer independent,” Mamata alleged.
“We don’t need lectures on democracy from those who are bulldozing the federal structure and democratic ethos every single day.”
“Declare Amit Shah PM”: Mamata Targets Home Minister
In one of her most pointed remarks, Mamata accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of effectively running the country in place of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Who is actually the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi or Amit Shah? It’s not Narendra Modi who’s running the country; it’s Amit Shah. Modi keeps travelling, and everything has been handed over to Shah. Just declare him the Prime Minister officially. He’s already running the government by proxy.”
She also questioned the Centre’s response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed, saying not a single question raised by her party had been addressed.
“After the Pahalgam incident, we demanded a special session of Parliament and raised five questions. Not one has been answered. Why has there never been a day observed to condemn terrorism?”
Mamata Flags Air Safety Concerns, Slams Demonetisation
Referring to the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad, Mamata alleged a lack of proper investigation and criticised the absence of an FIR.
“So many people are dying in crashes. One could be an accident, but if there’s a pattern, it must be investigated. The Ahmedabad crash is being looked into by bureaucrats. There’s not even a single FIR. In our time, railway accidents were probed by a dedicated safety committee. Why isn’t there such a committee for aviation?”
She also tore into the BJP’s economic policies, particularly the 2016 demonetisation.
“The manner in which the economy was destroyed in the name of demonetisation, November 8 should also be observed as the day when the economy was destroyed.”
“Democracy was murdered during demonetisation itself. People stood in queues for days, and many died. Why isn’t that day marked as Black Money Day?”
“Centre Can’t Dictate Bengal’s Identity”: Mamata on ‘Paschimbanga Diwas’
Mamata objected strongly to a letter sent by the Uttar Pradesh Special Secretary to West Bengal’s Department of Culture, suggesting that June 20 be observed as ‘Paschimbanga Diwas’ across Raj Bhavans.
Highlighting the significance of Poila Baisakh (first day of the Bengali New Year), she said:
“Who chose this date? India became independent on August 15. How can the Centre dictate Bengal’s foundation day? This is an insult to Bengal. Bangla Diwas will be celebrated on 1st Baisakh, the Bengali New Year day, as decided by our Assembly.”
The state Assembly had passed a resolution in September 2023 declaring Poila Baisakh as the official foundation day, despite opposition from the Governor.
“Those who have always deprived Bengal now want to celebrate Bangla Diwas? The Centre didn’t pay wages for the 100-day work scheme. We had to pay from the state exchequer. That’s why we launched the ‘Karmashree’ scheme with state funds.”
She criticised the term ‘Democracy Murder Day’ being associated with the Emergency, saying it distorted present-day realities.
“Everyone knows what happened during the Emergency. People rejected it. You can observe Emergency Day. But why call it ‘Democracy Murder Day’? Is democracy alive today? Every day it’s being strangled. A fake religious agenda is being pushed. Parliament has been rebuilt. Then by that logic, every day should be marked as Democracy Murder Day. Play your politics, but stop distorting facts and spreading lies.”
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