Durga Angan for the future generations: Mamata

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would continue her fight to protect democracy and the pride of the people of Bengal.

She was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation of Durga temple complex called Durga Angan in New Town this afternoon.

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Calling the event as historical she dedicated the temple to the people of Bengal.

Without naming the BJP, she said: “They have unleashed a reign of terror in the country. More than 50 people have died in connection with the election process. People are being harassed for speaking in Bengali in other states. I am holding my patience and keeping quiet so far. But everything has a limit,” she said adding, “We know the story told by Sri Ramakrishna. A sage told a snake not to attack anyone. The snake followed his advice. After some days the snake met the saint and told him that he was being abused and beaten up by people. The saint then told him ‘I have asked you not to attack but did not ask you not to scare those who will attack you’,” she remarked.

She said the Bengalis are quiet but know very well when to protest. “If you go to the Cellular Jail, 90 per cent of those who were sent there were Bengali freedom fighters. The British had shifted the capital to Delhi as they were scared by the Bengali freedom fighters.”

Miss Banerjee said the Durga Angan will come up on 17.28 acres of land in Action Area I in New Town. “The place is well connected and near the airport. It will be a very popular site after the temple complex is inaugurated.”

“It will be a green building. The garbha griha will have 54-feet height. There will be 300 trees and 1,000 flowering plants. There will be a 20-feet pathway inside the temple complex,” she gave out the details.

Miss Banerjee said the place will be a religio-cultural hub. There will be a kitchen to prepare prasad and a cultural museum.

Miss Banerjee said people may ask as Durga Puja is being celebrated across the state, then what is the need for a Durga temple complex. “The UNESCO has given the Durga Puja Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity tag. Puja will be conducted for 365 days. It is for our future generation.”

She reiterated: “Religion is for individuals but festivals are for all. People often criticise me for appeasement. I am one hundred per cent secular. I attend the festivals of all the religions. I do not discriminate between religions. Even today, representatives from all the religions have come to attend the meeting. I pray to Ma Durga to protect us and save us from evil,” she said.