Mamata failed for years on border security: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on the second day of his North Bengal tour, launched a direct attack on former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while praising Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for what he described as the state government’s renewed focus on border security.
Addressing a special programme at the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Frontier Headquarters in Siliguri, Shah recalled that the state’s former Chief Minister had traditionally been invited to such events but, according to him, had never attended. He specifically thanked Adhikari for attending the programme.
Shah said the change in the state government’s approach was particularly evident in the matter of acquiring land for strengthening border infrastructure. He claimed that during the previous government, the Centre had to make repeated requests for land, whereas the present administration was approving such requirements even before receiving formal communications.
According to Shah, around 560 acres of land were required to strengthen security around the strategically important Siliguri Corridor. He alleged that the previous government had failed to provide the land for years, while Adhikari approved the proposal soon after assuming office.
“Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has prioritised border security from day one,” Shah said.
The Home Minister also used the occasion to speak about India’s national heritage and the significance of Vande Mataram. He said the national song had not been accorded its full due for a long period after Independence and Partition. Shah recalled that Vande Mataram had been sung in Parliament with members standing, but the complete song was not performed, a situation he said had caused disappointment among many people, including himself.
He said the 80th Independence Day celebrations marked a significant change, claiming that the entire song was sung on that occasion. According to Shah, the move would help younger generations better understand the nationalist vision and contributions of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of Vande Mataram.
Following the programme at the SSB headquarters, Shah is scheduled to visit the Kawakhali grounds in Siliguri, where he will inaugurate an exhibition on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The exhibition will remain open until August 26 and will focus on creating public awareness about provisions of the BNS that replaced corresponding sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Shah is scheduled to return to his hotel on Friday afternoon after completing the day’s engagements, where he will meet BJP leaders and workers. On Saturday, he is expected to hold two successive meetings focused on issues concerning the Hills region.
