Maintain peace, harmony, stay united: Mamata as RSS gears up for Ram Navami

Jhargram: With the RSS gearing up to celebrate Ram Navami in a big way in West Bengal on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday cautioned people against falling prey to any provocation and asked them to maintain peace.

"Always remember that Rama had killed Ravana because he was evil. We have to kill Ravana who wants to create division among the people and engineer riots," she said at a programme in Jhargram where she announced Jhargram as the 22nd district of the state.

"We believe all are equal. We do not believe in discriminating people on the basis of religion. Let our unity win. Always stay united and never pay heed to any kind of rumour, do not be scared of threats. Maintain peace and harmony.

"If you have faith in me, always remember I never do anything which is against the interest of the people. I am always with the people," she said adding "We will make Bengal the best in the world."

At a meeting at Kharagpur on Monday, she had come down heavily on the BJP alleging that it was using the social media to "instigate people and spread lies and rumours."

"The BJP only understands the language of riots. They only know how to create tension between the Hindus and the Muslims," she had alleged.

The chief minister also demanded that the Centre waive loans of the farmers and said, "We have done away with khajna (tax) on agricultural land."

Banerjee said 'Jangalmahal,' the tribal area earlier dominated by Maoists had witnessed violence in the past but peace has returned there after Trinamool Congress came to power in the state.

She said the state government had set up colleges, super multi-speciality hospitals in Jhargram district and has plans to set up a university here.

"We will also set up an archery academy in Jhargram," she said.