West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said people of different faiths and communities celebrate their festivals in amity and harmony in the state.
She was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a Jagaddhatri Puja in Posta area of northwest Kolkata.
“Bengal is known across the world for its unique spirit, where different festivals are held with equal gusto amid harmony. Here people celebrate festivals such as Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Diwali, Chhath, Eid and Christmas in an enthusiastic manner,” she said.
She also said that West Bengal is the place where people of one faith follow their own rituals but they have high regard for the religious practices of others.
“We don’t want riots, we want people to live in harmony. We want every human being to live with dignity. This country belongs to us. This country should be saved by all of us,” Mamata added.
The chief minister also inaugurated Chhath Puja celebrations by members of the Bihari community at Doighat on the bank of the Hooghly in Hastings area.
She stated that Chhath is a big festival in West Bengal and her government has been granting a holiday on the occasion for the last few years.
