New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday praised ABVP workers for their campaign against alleged anti-national activities at Presidency and Jadavpur universities, urging them to continue what he described as a "clean-up" operation.
Addressing a gathering at a Kali Puja pandal inauguration in Maniktala, Kolkata, he accused groups at the two institutions of raising slogans such as "Kashmir maange azaadi" and promoting anti-national sentiments.
He described those allegedly involved as "cockroaches", "bedbugs" and "dimagi naxals", and offered to supply bleaching powder and phenyl to facilitate the campaign.
Adhikari invoked the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Swami Vivekananda, saying the universities must be cleansed of such activities.
He also targeted former chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the removal of a Kali idol in a police van during her tenure in 2025, drawing a parallel with her having to board a police van in Delhi during Mahalaya this year. Calling it the "power of Sanatanis", he appealed to people to use earthen lamps during Diwali to support traditional potters and artisans.
During another inauguration at Gaighata in North 24-Parganas, Adhikari announced that the 30-bed hospital in Gobardanga would be upgraded to a 100-bed facility by March next year.
He also promised a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at the hospital. The chief minister inaugurated several Kali Puja pandals over the past three days. According to the State Police Intelligence Branch, 72,609 Kali Pujas are being organised across Bengal, excluding Kolkata Police Commissionerate areas, compared with 66,919 Durga Pujas held last month.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.