Mamata Vows to Fight for Every Indian’s Honour

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the honour of every Indian, drawing inspiration from Bengal’s storied history of resistance against oppression. Addressing the state after hoisting the national flag at Kolkata’s Red Road, Banerjee declared, “Bengal once rose against the atrocities of foreign rulers, and we will keep fighting against any injustice.” In a Bengali post on X, she expressed confidence that the people would stand by her in this ongoing struggle.

Paying tribute to freedom fighters like Chittaranjan Das, Khudiram Basu, and Prafulla Chaki, Banerjee highlighted Bengal’s legacy of defiance against colonial powers. She also honored visionaries of the Bengal Renaissance, including Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ramakrishna, and Rabindranath Tagore, crediting them with reshaping Bengal and India. “Our goal is to build the nation our freedom fighters dreamt of, for which they sacrificed everything,” she said, emphasizing a vision rooted in justice and equality.

The Independence Day parade at Red Road featured units from the Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police, alongside vibrant tableaux showcasing state welfare schemes like Kanyashree, which supports girls’ education, and Swasthya Sathi, providing universal health coverage. The two-hour event highlighted the state’s achievements, with West Bengal’s economy growing at 8.81% in 2024-25, surpassing the national average, and unemployment dropping to 4.3%.

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Banerjee’s remarks come amid tensions with the Centre, particularly over pending funds of ₹10,000 crore for MGNREGS and ₹7,000 crore for PMAY-G, reflecting her broader fight for federal fairness. Her pledge to combat injustice aligns with recent actions, including financial aid of ₹5 lakh for families of 10 Bihar pilgrims killed in a Burdwan bus crash on August 15.

As West Bengal navigates challenges like the US’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods, Banerjee’s call for unity and resilience underscores her vision for an inclusive, self-reliant India.

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