West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday set an example of secularism and inclusivity by celebrating Dolyatra and Holi Milan Utsav with representatives from multiple communities. She was seen dancing to Dandiya before joining in on the Bhangra moves.
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, state ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya and Indranil Sen, industrialist Harsh Neotia, along with a host of other dignitaries attended the event which was organised by Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) at the Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata.
A few days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked that visiting a mosque for prayers on Holi was not essential, his West Bengal counterpart stressed the importance of celebrating festivals together in harmony.
Highlighting that this year Holi coincides with the holy month of Ramadan and falls on the holy day of Friday, she urged everyone to uphold peace and unity. She emphasised that the festivities should remain peaceful and free from any unpleasant incidents.
“Our tradition is that everyone should celebrate their festival. Please celebrate your festival with the humanity inside you. Remember, this is a festival of colour for everyone,” CM Banerjee said. “Celebrate your festivals peacefully and don’t pay heed if someone says something provocative.”
Mamata Banerjee participating in a Dandiya dance performance at Dhana Dhanya Auditorium in Kolkata as part of pre-Holi celebrations | Salil Bera
She further mentioned that Bengal thrives when people live together in harmony. She highlighted that a prosperous Bengal contributes to the nation's growth, as the state holds significant importance for the country. She stressed the need for peace over conflict, stating that collective happiness leads to overall progress.
The official Holi celebration, attended by representatives from various communities, along with the chief minister's message of unity, comes against the backdrop of allegations from the opposition BJP, which has claimed that Hindus in West Bengal face communal persecution. Additionally, the BJP sought to introduce an adjournment motion in the assembly, citing concerns over communal unrest in the state.
