“If helpless individuals from Bangladesh knock on West Bengal’s door, we will provide shelter,” says CM Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 21 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that her government would provide shelter to individuals from Bangladesh who seek refuge, amidst ongoing protests in the neighbouring country.

Her statement comes amid protests in Bangladesh over demands for reforms of the country's quota system for civil service jobs.

Addressing the TMC’s Martyrs Day rally in Kolkata, CM Banerjee said, "Don't worry if any of your family members or relatives are in Bangladesh for work or study. We're ready to help them in return back… I can't comment on Bangladesh (issue), as it’s a separate country.  Whatever needs to be said, the Indian government will say. These are matters which are handled by the Indian Government. But if helpless individuals knock on Bengal’s door, we will shelter them because a United Nations resolution allows neighbouring regions to assist those in trouble. 

Urging people not to resort to utter negative comments or get provoked on Bangladesh protests Banerjee said, “I urge everyone not to comment on Bangladesh (issue), to avoid falling into provocations. We feel compassion and sympathy for those whose blood is shed,” Chief Minister Banerjee added. 

The protests in Bangladesh have erupted due to demands for reforming the quota system that reserves civil service jobs for specific groups, including descendants of 1971 war veterans. 

The unrest intensified after students opposed a new policy allocating government jobs to descendants of freedom fighters, leading to violence, including attacks on state television headquarters and police booths in Dhaka. 

The situation prompted a government curfew, school closures, and nationwide suspension of mobile and internet services.

Following the protests that resulted in over 100 fatalities, Bangladesh's Supreme Court intervened, slashing the quota reserved for relatives of war veterans from 30 per cent to 5 per cent while allowing 93 per cent to be allocated based on merit and the remaining 2 per cent will be earmarked for members of ethnic minorities, transgender individuals, and the disabled, Al Jazeera reported, citing, local reports. (ANI)