New Delhi, May 16:
The war of words between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the desecration of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s statue during Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata continued on Thursday. Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government was committed towards the 19th century Bengali icon’s vision and promised to install Vidyasagar’s grand statue at the same spot in Kolkata where it was vandalised by “TMC goondas”. “A grand ‘panch dhatu’ (made up of five metals) statue of Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar will be installed at the same spot to give a befitting reply to TMC workers,” Modi said. Hours after the PM made this offer, Mamata responded and said Bengal does not need money from the BJP, it has enough resources to rebuild the Vidyasagar statue. Addressing a rally in Kolkata, Mamata said, “Modi has promised to rebuild the Vidyasagar statue in Kolkata. Why should we take their (BJP’s) money, Bengal has enough resources.” Mamata also attacked the BJP, claiming that vandalising statues was one of its habits and that the party has done so in Tripura as well. “The BJP has destroyed 200-year-old heritage of West Bengal, those supporting the party will not be accepted by the society,” she warned. Lashing out at Mamata, the Prime Minister said, “The statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was broken by TMC goondas during the roadshow of BJP president Amit Shah. Those involved in this act should be given strong punishment”.
Kolkata witnessed wide-spread violence during BJP president Shah’s massive roadshow on Tuesday. A bust of 19th century Bengali icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was vandalised during the violence.
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