West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that if people from violence-torn Bangladesh seek refuge, Bengal will provide them shelter. She asserted that anyone arriving out of compulsion would be accommodated and allowed to stay. Banerjee also referenced UN policies, which advocate for the respect of refugees by neighboring countries.
Mamata Banerjee remarked, 'I won't comment extensively on Bangladesh because it's a separate nation. The central government will address this. However, if people (from Bangladesh) knock on Bengal's door out of necessity, we will offer them refuge. There's also a UN resolution that neighboring countries should respect refugees.' Mamata Banerjee made these remarks during a rally on the occasion of 'Martyrs' Day' in Kolkata.
Protests erupt in Bangladesh over controversial quota reforms, leading to violence.
West Bengal's CM assures support for affected families in Bangladesh.
Mamata assures full support
The Chief Minister assured, 'I pledge complete support to Bengal residents whose relatives are trapped in violence-hit Bangladesh.' The Bangladesh government has imposed a curfew nationwide following the violent quota protests. Military patrols continue in Dhaka. At least 114 people have been confirmed dead in various violent incidents.
Bengal's CM offers support to those affected by Bangladesh violence at a rally.
Mamata praises Samajwadi Party's victory
During the event, Banerjee lauded Samajwadi Party's leader Akhilesh Yadav for his party's performance in Uttar Pradesh's Lok Sabha elections. 'The central government won’t last. It’s an unstable administration and will soon fall,' she stated. The Trinamool Congress leader continued, 'The game you played in UP should have made the BJP government resign, but they remain in power, abusing agencies and other means without shame.'
Akhilesh Yadav's remarks at the rally
Yadav addressed the rally, 'People of Bengal have put the BJP behind, and the same happened in Uttar Pradesh... The central government won't last long. It's bound to fall.'
Mamata Banerjee acknowledges Samajwadi Party's efforts in Uttar Pradesh elections.
Bangladesh Supreme Court's Order
On Sunday, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court ordered the abolition of the controversial quota system for government job applicants. The court emphasized that jobs should be merit-based. This ruling marks a partial victory for the protesting students, which saw at least 114 casualties.
In an appeal verdict, the Supreme Court reduced the quota to 5% and mandated that 93% of jobs be awarded based on merit. Additionally, the court reserved 2% of the positions for minorities and the transgender community.
