Beware of cockroaches, 'dimaagi Naxals': Suvendu Adhikari calls for cultural harmony

Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday called for social harmony through a blend of religion and culture while warning people to give a wide berth to “bugs and cockroaches” as well as “dimaagi Naxals” living in India and allegedly working to weaken the country.

Addressing the inauguration of the community Durga Puja organised by Gandhipalli Vivekananda Sporting Club in Bongaon, close to the Bangladesh border, Suvendu said: “Many bugs and cockroaches are living inside India who are trying to weaken the country. Please be careful about such people.”

It was evident he was targeting the Cockroach Janta Party, spearheading the movement to demand the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Suvendu also appealed for cultural harmony with a warning against what he described as anti-national activities and infiltration.

He also slammed the “dimaagi Naxals”. “Those dimaagi Naxals who raise their voices demanding freedom for Kashmir with slogans such as ‘Kashmir Mange Azadi’ — please beware of these elements too. At the same time, strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

Turning to border security, he attacked the previous Trinamool Congress government for allegedly not ensuring the country’s security.

He said: “The previous state government did not allot land to the BSF in border areas to erect fences. We have provided the required land, and work on border fencing has started. Infiltrators entering Indian territory will no longer be able to commit crimes such as ‘land jihad’ and ‘love jihad’.”

The chief minister also stressed coordination between security and administrative agencies in the border belt. “As this area is close to the border, the police, the BSF and the Land Ports Authority of India are working together with a nationalistic outlook,” he said.

Citizenship for people who have fled religious persecution in neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh, formed a major part of his address.

“Many people who have faced religious persecution in neighbouring countries have entered Bengal and continue to face difficulties because they do not have caste certificates or voter identity cards. They will be issued the much-awaited citizenship certificates through the district administration,” he said.

He claimed those granted citizenship certificates would be enrolled in the electoral rolls by January-end.

Earlier in the day, Suvendu inaugurated a Durga Puja in Nadia’s Habibpur and then visited Kalyani and Bongaon before leaving for Delhi via Calcutta. He was flying to New Delhi at the invitation of Union home minister Amit Shah to attend a dinner meet with representatives of BRICS countries, he added.