"No violence in Bengal, there is love...," West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim

Aug 06, 2023

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], August 6 : West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim rubbished charges of violence in the state raised by opposition parties saying that there is no violence in the state but there is love, religious inclusiveness and peace.
"There is no violence in Bengal, there is love, religious inclusiveness, peace," the West Bengal Minister said speaking to ANI, at a protest sit-in against the central government for not disbursing adequate funds to the state.
In a jibe aimed at the BJP, Firhad Hakim also proposed that a train should run from Bengal to all the states ruled by the BJP to spread the message of peace to those states.
"A train from here should go to every state where the BJP rules in the country to spread the message of peace. For example, Sikhs from here can teach how Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live together in Bengal," the Minister said.
Speaking about the protest, Hakim said that West Bengal owes of Rs 1, 17,000 crore from the central government but the centre is neither disbursing it nor acknowledging it.
"Central government is not disbursing funds to West Bengal. We owe Rs 1,17,000 crore from the centre. The centre is neither giving us the funds nor accepting this. We are also protesting against the human rights violation in Manipur and Haryana."
Speaking about the protest, Hakim said that TMC activists may go to Delhi to protest against the central government.
"The protest is till 4 pm. After that we will go to Delhi, he will shake Modiji, we will raise the slogan- Give money to Bengal or leave your chair," the Minister said.
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on INDIA alliance, Firhad Hakim said, "He has gotten afraid of the name INDIA because all opposition parties have united against them."