Kolkata, Sep 9 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday vowed to “uproot” forces raising slogans such as “Kashmir wants freedom” and “red salute” on Jadavpur University campus, asserting that he would not tolerate any insult to the saffron colour.
Addressing a gathering outside the campus after leading the 3-km ‘Gerua Samman Yatra’ from Golpark, Adhikari described the varsity as the land of Sri Aurobindo.
“I will not tolerate the insult of saffron. I have given a clear message. The West Bengal chief minister knows how to wipe out ‘Kashmir Mange Azadi’ and ‘red salute’ from Jadavpur,” he said.
“I have taken a vow that from Jadavpur, the land of Sri Aurobindo and a centre of excellence, I will uproot those who raise ‘Kashmir Mange Azadi’ slogans and those who have supported the ‘kisan’ (sic) movement,” he added.
Adhikari announced he would visit the area again, saying those who insult saffron should be “taught a lesson” through religious programmes.
“I will come again to teach them a lesson through recitation of the Gita and the Hanuman Chalisa,” he said.
“This is the land of Swami Vivekananda, and saffron will remain here,” he added.
Adhikari also announced a three-day Vedic recital programme, appealing to people to participate in it.
Dressed in saffron and carrying a saffron flag, Adhikari led the procession, which was joined by a large number of monks, including ‘Naga Sadhus’, and BJP workers, chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
“We have sacrificed our lives for the country and taken up arms to protect our faith. Why are we being insulted,” a Naga Sadhu asked, thanking Adhikari for taking up the issue.
The mobilisation comes amid a political and ideological battle at Jadavpur University, where clashes, graffiti and slogan wars between Left-wing student groups and the RSS-affiliated ABVP have intensified in recent days.
A BJP leader said the march was organised to uphold the “dignity” of saffron, which the party has sought to project as a symbol of India’s cultural heritage and national pride.
The march was held less than a fortnight after Adhikari attended a programme outside the campus, where around 10,000 people sang the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’.
Participating in that event, Adhikari had targeted both the CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Trinamool Congress, accusing them of allowing “nationalism to fade from public consciousness”. PTI PNT SOM
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