‘Those who sing Vande Mataram are my friends’: Suvendu Adhikari signals hard line on nationalism in Bengal

Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said his government had much more work to do in the state, asserting that efforts to promote nationalism and protect the country's cultural identity were far from complete.

Addressing the inauguration of Durga Puja celebrations at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata, Adhikari said the full version of 'Vande Mataram' has been made mandatory during prayers in all schools, including madrasas, but much remained to be done.

"The full Vande Mataram has to be sung during prayers. There can be no compromise on this," he said, adding that those who sing the national song "will be my friend".

Referring to the vandalism at the residence of CPI(M) leader Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, the chief minister said he disapproved of such acts and that the police had taken action promptly.

Taking an apparent swipe at Bhattacharya over his social post describing the incident as an attack by "Hindutvawadis", Adhikari questioned attempts to blame an entire community.

"Are we not Hindus? Do we not live in Hindustan," he asked.

The chief minister alleged that members of the "tukde-tukde gang" were trying to weaken the country, maintaining that slogans such as "Kashmir maange azaadi" would not be allowed in the state.

Apparently referring to the anti-SIR protests in Delhi, Adhikari said those taking part in creating disturbances were "cockroaches" and "bedbugs".

He called for efforts to counter such forces, promote nationalism and strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.