Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hit out at his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of “encouraging communal unrest under the guise of secularism” in the wake of violence in parts of the eastern state over the Waqf Amendment Act. Addressing a gathering in Hardoi, Adityanath claimed, “She (Banerjee) has given the rioters a free hand in the name of secularism. Only firm action, 'lathi', can put a check on the rioters, not words. Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was plagued by frequent riots. We restored law and order as rioters only understand one language — the language of 'lathi'. Mere words cannot stop them.” Similar “unchecked violence” is now unfolding in Bengal, where the administration has chosen silence over action, he alleged. “Bengal is burning and their CM calls rioters messengers of peace. In the name of secularism, she has given them a license to create chaos. Murshidabad has been burning for a week, but the state government remains silent,” he further said. The CM, on the other hand, praised the judiciary for “stepping in and issuing orders to deploy central forces to protect the Hindu community” in Bengal. “We are thankful to the honourable court for intervening and ensuring the safety of innocent citizens,” he said. Slamming the Opposition parties over their alleged silence, he said, “The Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress have all remained silent. Instead of condemning the violence, they are offering veiled support (to rioters). Anyone glorifying what happened in Bangladesh should simply go there. Why be a burden on India’s soil?”
