Will give them shelter if they knock: Mamata Banerjee on Bangladeshi refugees

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Sunday that her government is prepared to offer refuge to those fleeing violence in Bangladesh. Speaking at the Trinamool Congress's 'Martyrs' Day' rally in Kolkata, she said, "If helpless people from Bangladesh knock on Bengal's door, we will give them shelter. The Indian government will address the broader issue, but we will do our part."

Furthermore, she said, "I cannot speak anything about Bangladesh as it is another country. The Indian government will speak about that." However, she assured support for those in dire need, referencing the United Nations' resolution that neighbors should respect and assist refugees.

Hundreds of students and others are returning to West Bengal/ India, from the trouble-torn Bangladesh.

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…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 21, 2024

Rally amid rain

Despite heavy rain, the rally saw a huge turnout. Banerjee assured the crowd, "I assure all cooperation to Bengal residents whose relatives are stuck in violence-hit Bangladesh." Her statement comes at a time when Bangladesh is grappling with severe unrest. Authorities in Bangladesh have imposed a strict curfew and deployed military personnel in Dhaka following deadly clashes over government job allocations, which resulted in over 40 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Watch her address here:

Hon'ble Chief Minister #MamataBanerjee Paying tribute to the Martyrs of 21st July #ShahidDibas at Dharmatala, Bengal pic.twitter.com/OLMVyF7SlX

— Nilanjan Das (@NilanjanDasAITC) July 21, 2024

Support for political allies

During the rally, Mamata Banerjee also praised Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for his party's strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the political climate in India, she criticized the central government, saying, "The government at the Centre won't last long. This is not a stable government and will collapse soon," she said. She further added, "The 'Khel' (game) you played in UP should have forced the BJP government there to resign, but the shameless government is continuing in power by misusing agencies and other means."

#MamataBanerjee to #AkhileshYadav :

The Khel you did in #UttarPradesh has checked #BJP. BJP should have resigned but this is a shameless govt. You have to wait a bit. I agree with you that #NDA Govt in Centre that came to power after misusing agencies & other means isn’t a… pic.twitter.com/69AALsz6RL

— Tamal Saha (@Tamal0401) July 21, 2024

What has Akhilesh Yadav said? 

Akhilesh Yadav, who was present at the rally said, "The people of Bengal have fought with the BJP and left them behind, the same happened in Uttar Pradesh... The people sitting in the government in Delhi are in power only for a few days. 'Woh sarkaar chalne wali nahi hai, woh sarkaar girne wali hai' (that government is not going to last many days, it will fall soon.