Kolkata, Sept. 9 -- Reaffirming that his government would not tolerate derogatory remarks or writings against the saffron colour, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday warned against what he described as insults to Sanatan culture.
Adhikari led the 'Gerua Samman Yatra' through south Kolkata, with ruling party leaders saying the procession was aimed at upholding the "dignity" of the saffron colour. The rallyists chanted 'Jai Shri Ram', while a large number of monks joined the procession, which began at Golpark and ended at Jadavpur.
Addressing a gathering at Jadavpur after a massive 'Gerua Samman Yatra', Adhikari said: "Let me give a clear message. I am only warning you. Think five times before writing or saying anything derogatory about saffron." He said the government would not tolerate derogatory remarks or writings against the saffron colour.
"We will uproot those who have given the 'Kashmir Mange Azadi' slogan, gave a red salute to Kishenji or those who have written 'Gerua Tandav'. In the land of Swami Vivekananda, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Swami Pranabananda, Gerua (saffron) will prevail," Adhikari told the gathering. He called upon his supporters to remain united and declared that saffron would dominate the political and cultural landscape of Bengal.
He also invoked his earlier political battles, saying he had pledged in 2011 to remove the Communists from power and later vowed to defeat the "Jamaati government" in 2026 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Adhikari said the Assembly would hold a special session from 11 am on Thursday and a major policy change in higher education would be taken up. The state government is planning a major overhaul of the higher education sector, he added, mentioning that a "historic" bill aimed at introducing a new policy for universities, teachers and non-teaching staff would be brought before the state Assembly during its special session.
"A historic bill of the Higher Education Department is going to be introduced on Thursday. The Cabinet has approved it, and the Governor has given his consent. The West Bengal government is introducing a new policy for universities, teachers and education workers," the chief minister said. The Chief Minister pointed out that he had asked the Higher Education Minister and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to allow him 15-20 minutes to speak during the Assembly session.
Meanwhile, Adhikari had issued a sharp warning to a vernacular newspaper which, while reporting an ABVP protest in Jadavpur, used the headline "saffron terror" (gerua tandav). "I ask the owner of the newspaper: Do you know the meaning of saffron? You write BJP's tandav, Suvendu's tandav, ABVP's tandav; don't get frightened; you will get an answer," Adhikari had earlier said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.