Kolkata, Aug 28 (PTI) In a veiled attack on the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said attempts are on to change the history of the country and its democracy is under threat.
Because of its narrow political considerations, a particular party has destroyed the unity of the country, she said at the Assembly where a resolution was moved remembering martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre on its centenary year.
"I cannot deny that it was the Indian National Congress that had fought for India's Independence. History is history. We cannot change history for political reasons. Never heard of this. But now this is also happening.... They are changing names, they are changing history," she said.
The Trinamool Congress supremo did not name any party but she was apparently hinting at the BJP.
Those who had murdered Gandhiji are now proudly claiming to have fought the battle of Independence of the country, Banerjee said.
There was a time in the country when one state used to come forward when another one was in distress, Banerjee said.
"The country's character has not changed but one particular party through its narrow politics has destroyed political openness, the unity (of the country)," the chief minister said.
"I hope Indian democracy will live forever. I do not know what will happen tomorrow. We all are scared," she added.
Referring to the revoking of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir without convening an all-party meet, Banerjee said, "We could have given our opinions. Some could have spoken for us or some against us. But instead of doing that, it was pushed with the butt of the gun."
She also expressed apprehension about the whereabouts of Jammu and Kashmir leaders including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
"I am feeling bad but we cannot do anything. We are not allowed to go there and meet them," she said.
The chief minister said despite ideological differences, she is not totally against the Left parties.
Lamenting that there was no discussion on Parliament on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, she said students should read more about incidents like this.
The Assembly speaker moved a resolution remembering 100 years of the massacre.
The resolution from the Chair read: "The House while paying its respectful homage to all those who laid down their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh incident, recalls the sacrifice of the countless martyrs all over the country. This House also pays its tribute to the memory of all the martyrs of our freedom struggle...."
The members of the House remember the sacrifices made by innocent and unarmed civilians in Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919 when British troops fired upon a gathering, it said.
