West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday targeted those raising ‘Azadi’ slogans and questioned the ‘Red Salute Kishanji’ graffiti at Jadavpur University. Speaking at a Raksha Bandhan programme in his Bhabanipur constituency, Suvendu Adhikari underscored India’s freedom struggle and the sacrifices of freedom fighters.
The Chief Minister spoke about what he described as threats from within the country, contrasting them with external security challenges. “Our armed forces deal with outside enemies. The Indian Air Force entered their homes and wiped out their name and identity. But there are many people within the country itself who are anti-national,” he said.
Taking aim at ‘Azadi’ slogans and references to Kashmir, Suvendu Adhikari said he was distressed to hear such slogans in Kolkata. “It pains me when Azadi slogans are raised on the streets of the city. What is this Azadi for? The country became independent long ago,” he said. He then turned his attention to Jadavpur University and questioned the message being conveyed by graffiti honouring Maoist leader Kishanji. “It pains me when ‘Red Salute Kishanji’ is written on the walls of Jadavpur. What are you teaching the new generation? Who is this Kishanji? One who demanded the country’s partition. Kishanji, who did not accept the Constitution,” Adhikari said, adding that Kishanji had opposed elections and rejected the Constitution.
Suvendu Adhikari also questioned objections to singing the complete version of ‘Vande Mataram’, accusing some sections of working against the country from within. “Why is there an objection to the complete Vande Mataram? Those who attack from within must take a pledge on this Raksha Bandhan to clean them out like household garbage,” he said.
He is set to address a gathering outside Jadavpur University’s Gate No. 2 at 5pm on Friday, in a programme aimed at promoting what organisers describe as the “spirit of nationalism” on the campus. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend and sing Vande Mataram.
