Congress Invites Mamata Banerjee to July 21 Martyrs' Day Event

West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar on Tuesday invited Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee to attend the Congress' July 21 Martyrs' Day programme in Kolkata, urging her to acknowledge that leaving the Congress nearly three decades ago was a political mistake. Speaking after reviewing preparations for the event at Shahid Minar, Sarkar said Banerjee should recognise the historical significance of the July 21, 1993 movement instead of attempting to alter its political legacy.

Addressing reporters, Sarkar maintained that the July 21, 1993 protest was organised under the banner of the Youth Congress and remains an integral part of the Congress party's history. He said the events of that day could not be separated from the Congress' political legacy and argued that leaders who openly acknowledge their political past earn greater public respect. He invited Banerjee to participate in the Congress programme and pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the protest.

The Congress leader further stated that if Banerjee publicly admitted that leaving the Congress had been a mistake and joined the Shahid Minar event, it would represent an important act of political reconciliation. According to Sarkar, such a gesture would demonstrate a willingness to correct past political decisions. He added that the Congress platform remains open to everyone and that Banerjee would be welcome to attend the programme and honour the memory of the July 21 martyrs.

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The July 21 observance commemorates the 1993 Youth Congress rally in Kolkata, during which 13 people were allegedly killed in police firing while Mamata Banerjee was leading the protest. The incident has remained a significant political milestone in West Bengal and has been commemorated annually by Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress since she founded the party after leaving the Congress in December 1997. Over the years, the TMC's annual rally has evolved into one of the party's largest political events, showcasing its organisational strength.

The political landscape in West Bengal, however, has changed considerably following recent electoral developments. With Banerjee no longer in power after the Assembly elections, her party has been dealing with internal divisions and growing political challenges. A rebel faction of the Trinamool Congress led by Ritabrata Banerjee has announced a separate programme near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Esplanade to mark the anniversary, highlighting continuing differences within the party.

Meanwhile, another group loyal to the former Chief Minister has reportedly been denied police permission to organise its traditional July 21 event outside Victoria House. The dispute over the venue is now pending before the court. Against this backdrop, the Congress' invitation to Mamata Banerjee has added a fresh political dimension to this year's observance of one of West Bengal's most significant and symbolically charged political anniversaries.

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