'Allegations of minority appeasement against me deeply insulting'

Strongly countering allegations of appeasing the minority community, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said such comments against her are "deeply insulting".

"I do not believe in appeasement. These comments are deeply insulting. I believe in the religion of humanity that talks about the harmony among all the religions," Banerjee said while inaugurating a Durga Puja in south Kolkata.

She also accused the central government of conspiring against Bengal.

"The centre hatches several conspiracies against us. They take help of different agencies from time to time. But I am strong believer in divine powers. I believe we will demolish all the conspiracies," she said.

Banerjee said she observes the rituals of all the communities with equal enthusiasm but nobody raises the question of appeasement when it comes to a non-Muslim festival.

"If I go to Muslim festival, people terms it as appeasement. But when I go the Chhath puja celebrations or observe Buddha Purnima, does anybody ask whom am I appeasing? When I go to the temples or be present in the midnight prayer on Christmas, does anyone raise the question of appeasement?" she asked.

The Chief Minister's comments came on the day the Calcutta High Court lifted the ban on Durga idol immersion on the day of the 10th day of Muharram, imposed by state government and asked to ensure adequate security for both the communities taking part in their respective processions.

"It is not the custom to immerse the goddess on a Saturday or on Akadoshi (the day after Dussehra). So where was the problem? Some people are trying to demean the festival. They are trying to disrupt peace," Banerjee alleged.

Issuing a stern warning, she said those who are conspiring to create unrest in the state would have to take responsibility for it.

"If anybody tries to create unrest, I would be their biggest enemy. If anyone conspires to disturb the peace, they would have to take the responsibility," she asserted. - IANS