Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged the Kudmi community to not fall prey to “BJP's riots model” in getting their demands met. Speaking at an event in Jhargram on the occasion of Adivasi Diwas, a day after she met a delegation of Kudmi community, Banerjee said, “I have asked my Kudmi brothers and sisters to develop their language, tradition, culture, and heritage. But the Scheduled Tribes and Kudmis should not follow the riots model propagated by the BJP in Manipur. I urge our people to refrain from any fights among themselves and live in peace and harmony. Setting everything on fire is easy. All it requires is one matchstick. But putting out the fire is not easy. BJP is doing the politics of blood. I will not do that.” On Tuesday, she had assured the Kudmi delegation of looking into their demands that included recognising the community as Scheduled Tribes, the inclusion of Kudmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution among others. “I have forwarded Kudmi community’s requests to the Centre, but it is not in my hands. I will do all the development work required for the uplift of the community, but I request you all to live in harmony,” the CM added. Banerjee said that her party would not accept the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which the BJP-led government at the Centre has been pushing for recently. “Hindus, Muslims, adivasis, Punjabis (Sikhs), and Jains have different wedding processes. One cannot just impose one rule on everyone. This is why I am saying here today that I do not accept Uniform Civil Code and will not accept it. Things will continue as they are and there should be freedom for our people to observe their customs and religion as per their wishes,” the TMC chief said. Earlier in the day in a tweet, Banerjee called upon everyone to rise above the differences of caste, creed, religion and race to protect the rights of the indigenous people. Wishing people on the occasion of the 'International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples', Banerjee said indigenous peoples' rights must be protected for the sake of humanity. "May the people of this state, this nation, and the world at large rise above differences of caste, creed, religion, and race to uphold and protect the rights of indigenous peoples, because this isn't just about one community; it's about humanity," she tweeted. She said the "cultural tapestry of Bengal is woven with threads from diverse indigenous communities". Speaking about her government's initiatives in the Junglemahal area, the CM said: “Social welfare schemes of around Rs 1,100 crore were inaugurated today in 14 districts, including Jhargram. These include projects related to roads, water, health, and other necessities. Around 890 Dhamsa-Madols were also distributed. As many as 620 adivasi students are being given the BR Ambedkar Medha Puroskar for their exemplary performance in the Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations. In 2013, we set up an Adivasi Welfare Department and its budget was increased. From Rs 160 crore in 2011 for adivasis, we increased it to Rs 1,139 crore. Laws have been made to ensure their lands cannot be given away. Over 3 lakh adivasi people get Rs 1,000 under West Bengal government’s Jai Johar scheme.”
