'Save India, Save Democracy': Mamata at Delhi Rally
Opposition parties rallied in the national capital on Sunday under the banner of the INDIA bloc. The 'Desh Bachao Maha Rally' at Ramlila Maidan saw top leaders from across the country share one stage, with Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, leading the event.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered one of the most fiery speeches of the day. She sharply criticised the Central government led by the BJP and called on opposition parties to stand together.
"Those who fight, earn life. Those who fear, die," Mamata told the crowd. "They say do not come out of your homes, and they put us under house arrest. Those who are kafir live in fear every day. The slogan for the times ahead is Save India, Save Democracy. All of us must fight the BJP together."
Mamata alleged that West Bengal had been a victim of the SIR process. "We will not give up. We are ready to give our lives, but we will keep fighting. Bengal faced looting, but we will not allow Delhi to face the same. We will save democracy. For the BJP, SIR means Special Intensive Relief."
Her criticism was aimed at the Election Commission and the Centre. "They have looted EVMs, democracy, the Constitution and the rights of the people. Gyanesh Kumar removed one percent of votes in Bengal. We did not lose; we were beaten. We will take our revenge through politics and we will fight for democracy. The government has looted jobs, lives and the honour of mothers and sisters. The election has been hijacked."
Mamata also took a dig at the BJP's slogan. "They used to say Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Now their slogan is BJP ka Saath, Sabka Vinash. They looted temples and the donations for Ram Janmabhoomi. Temple money was looted in Bengal, and Waqf property was looted as well. They get party work done through the police. The BJP has no organisation, and its exit is certain."
In closing, she appealed to the youth and the Gen Z generation to unite and raise their voices to defend democracy. She also sang a satirical poem, 'Gyanesh-Gyanesh yes papa...', targeting the BJP and Gyanesh Kumar.