Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP’s promise to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in West Bengal, claiming it is a move that would undermine the state’s diversity.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently said that the UCC would be implemented within six months if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal.

Referring to that statement, Abhishek Banerjee, while addressing an election rally at Gopiballavpur in Jhargram district, said: “UCC means that it will be imposed on you which religion you will be allowed to follow. The BJP will decide what you will do.”

He attacked the BJP by citing the example that “not everyone’s clothes are the same”.

Rejecting the BJP’s ‘one country, one constitution’ pitch, Abhishek Banerjee said: “Your clothes are one size, my clothes are another size. You wear one type of shoes, I wear another type. Will the BJP now also decide the size? Do all trees bloom the same? BJP says UCC means they will decide how I will practise my religion.”

He claimed that the UCC would endanger Scheduled Castes and Kurmi communities. Abhishek Banerjee said that marginalised groups would be most at risk if the Uniform Civil Code is introduced. He warned: “Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Kurmi brothers and sisters will be the most affected.”

He expressed apprehension that their cultural and social customs could be undermined by such a law.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee also issued an open challenge to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking at the rally, he said: “I tell HM Amit Shah… be in Kolkata at noon on May 4. I will meet you after 12 o’clock.”

Abhishek Banerjee further said: “Not only Rabindra Sangeet, this time DJ will play. We will respond in the language that you understand.”

He made it clear that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may be liberal, but he is not. According to him, courtesy should not be seen as weakness.

“The courtesy of the Trinamool Congress does not mean weakness. Those who have abused us as Bangladeshis or Rohingyas are making a mistake. This time it will not be just Rabindra Sangeet. Abhishek Banerjee knows how to respond in the language that those who understand,” he said.

–IANS

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