Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: Amidst violent protests in Bangladesh that have claimed 151 lives, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the state would offer refuge to anyone in distress who seeks help. Her statement comes during one of the most tumultuous periods of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
Addressing the ‘Martyrs Day’ rally in Kolkata, Banerjee emphasized that while she does not have the authority to comment on Bangladesh’s internal affairs, West Bengal would extend help to those in need. “I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh since it’s another country. Whatever needs to be said on the issue is a subject matter of the Centre. But I only can say, if helpless people knock on Bengal’s doors, we will shelter them,” she said.
Banerjee justified her stance by referencing the United Nations Resolution on refugees, indicating that regions adjacent to areas in turmoil have a duty to accommodate those fleeing conflict. She cited the example of Assamese people who were allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of North Bengal during the Bodo strife.
Expressing solidarity with the victims of the ongoing violence, Banerjee stated, “We are sad to see blood getting spilt and my heart goes out to those students who were killed.”
The unrest in Bangladesh, initially sparked by protests against politicized admission quotas for government jobs, has escalated into widespread violence. In response, the Bangladesh government imposed a national curfew and deployed the military, with soldiers patrolling cities and a nationwide internet blackout severely limiting information flow.
Nearly 1,000 Indian students have returned from Bangladesh through various land transit points or by flight. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that the Foreign Ministry is focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of Indians in Bangladesh.
