“Bengal is burning, yet its CM calls rioters messengers of peace,” alleges CM
CM pays floral tribute to Raja Narpati Singh Raikwar, the immortal warrior of the first freedom struggle of 1857, on Vijay Diwas
Lucknow, April 15: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, launched a fierce attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of encouraging communal unrest under the guise of secularism. “She has given rioters a free license in the name of secularism,” he said.
Speaking in Hardoi at the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony of 729 development projects worth Rs 650 crore, CM Yogi compared Bengal’s current law and order to pre-2017 Uttar Pradesh, asserting that only firm action—’lathi’—can curb rioters, not words.
He said, “Before 2017, UP was plagued by frequent riots. We restored law and order because rioters only understand one language — the language of ‘lathi’. Mere words won’t stop them.”
He alleged that similar unchecked violence is now unfolding in West Bengal, where the administration has chosen silence. “Bengal is burning, and the Chief Minister calls rioters messengers of peace,” he said. “But such elements won’t be controlled with words. In the name of secularism, she has given them a free license to create chaos. Murshidabad has been burning for a week, yet the state government remains mute.”
CM Yogi also lauded the judiciary for stepping in and deploying central forces to protect minority Hindu communities in Bengal. “We are thankful to the Honourable Court for intervening and ensuring the safety of innocent citizens,” he added.
He further criticized the silence of opposition parties, stating, “The Congress, Samajwadi Party, and TMC have all remained silent. Instead of condemning the violence, they’re offering veiled support. Anyone glorifying what happened in Bangladesh should simply go there. Why be a burden on India’s soil?”
During the event, the CM paid floral tribute on the Vijay Diwas of 1857 freedom fighter Raja Narpati Singh Raikwar, the legendary hero of India’s first battle for independence. He highlighted the importance of the historical site and the legacy of Raja Narpati Singh’s land and fort, which hold a special place in the nearby districts.
He also extended his gratitude to Union Minister Rajnath Singh, who was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh when the memorial was developed. CM Yogi described the monument as a “pilgrimage site of modern India,” and said that the entire Hardoi district is being transformed to reflect the vision of a modern and developed India.
Talking about the country’s achievements, CM Yogi said that in the past ten years, India has made remarkable progress and is now the fifth-largest economy in the world. He added, “In the next few years, India will become the third-largest economy globally, just behind the US and China.” This, he said, is a proud moment for every Indian and reflects the country’s efforts in building world-class infrastructure like highways, airports, metros, and new opportunities for investment and security.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Minister praised the recent Waqf Amendment Act. He said the law will stop illegal occupation of land meant for the poor and allow the government to use such land for building hospitals, schools, universities, and houses. “Now no one will be allowed to grab land and indulge in hooliganism,” he said, referring to how such practices were previously unchecked.
CM Yogi also cautioned people against those trying to mislead by spreading misinformation. He urged citizens to trust the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and to be part of the development journey. He added that while past governments couldn’t provide even basic needs like housing and toilets for decades, today, over 10 crore people in Uttar Pradesh are benefiting from the Ayushman health card scheme.
The CM further said that India is moving steadily towards becoming the world’s biggest power by 2047, fulfilling the vision of a Developed India set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that this dream was once cherished by India’s freedom fighters who fought for a prosperous nation.
“Prime Minister Modi has envisioned a self-reliant and developed India. No one can stop us from becoming the greatest strength in the world by 2047,” said CM Yogi. He paid tribute to freedom fighters like Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Thakur Roshan Singh, and Ashfaqullah Khan, who made sacrifices for the nation’s progress.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the double-engine government’s commitment to ensuring that development reaches the last person in society. “We are making sure that schemes related to housing, toilets, healthcare, and employment continue alongside broader development goals,” he said.
He assured that every family living below the poverty line will have access to all basic amenities and opportunities for jobs or self-employment.Marking the 75th year of the Indian Constitution, CM Yogi said that the entire country is celebrating it as a grand Amrit Mahotsav. He highlighted the significance of the Constitution created by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and emphasized unity across the nation. “From north to south, east to west, 140 crore Indians are working together for a stronger and more developed India,” he said.Recalling the spirit of the 1857 First War of Independence, CM Yogi mentioned the courage of revolutionaries like Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Nana Rao Peshwa of Bithoor, and Bandhu Singh of Gorakhpur. He noted how each of them bravely resisted British rule in their own regions, adding, “Even the British could not defeat Bandhu Singh in Gorakhpur.”
The CM on his visit to Hardoi emphasized the district’s growing development and connectivity. He highlighted that the medical college in Hardoi is now operational, and a nursing college is also coming up soon, boosting healthcare infrastructure and educational opportunities in the region.He also spoke about the major expressway projects like the Greenfield Expressway and Ganga Expressway, which will improve connectivity between Delhi, Meerut, Prayagraj, and Kashi. Notably, a 99-kilometer stretch of these expressways will pass through Hardoi. Highlighting job creation, he said that the PM Mitra and Textile Park projects will create employment for lakhs of youth. These projects, combined with improved connectivity, are expected to promote tourism, bird sanctuaries, guesthouses, and local products, thus generating new livelihood opportunities.
During his visit, CM Yogi also participated in various welfare activities. He distributed assistive devices to differently-abled persons, interacted with them at the exhibition stalls, and even fed children during the Annaprashan ceremony, gifting them toys and applying ceremonial tilak in a warm gesture of welcome.
The Chief Minister was presented with a sword and a statue as a mark of respect for the bravery of the region’s heroes. He also distributed gharauni ownership certificates, keys to new homes under the CM Awas Yojana, new ration cards, Ayushman Bharat health cards, and tablets and laptops to Anganwadi workers and girl students under the CM Bal Seva Yojana.
In addition, a Rs 15 crore cheque was distributed under the Rural Livelihood Mission, and beneficiaries also received support under the Khadi and Village Industries Promotion Scheme and other incentive programs.
