West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday dismissed claims that she engages in appeasement, emphasizing that she is “truly secular” and participates in events across all religions without bias. She made these remarks while laying the foundation stone for Durga Angan, a cultural complex dedicated to Goddess Durga, in New Town, Kolkata.

“People accuse me of appeasement, but that is incorrect. I am secular in the truest sense,” Banerjee said, noting that she attends programs of all faiths. While she did not specify who made the allegations, the BJP frequently accuses her of favoring the Muslim community. “You don’t object when I visit a gurdwara, but criticism arises when I attend an Eid celebration,” she added.

Banerjee also raised concerns about the ongoing SIR process, alleging that it has caused unnecessary harassment and led to the loss of lives. “Over 50 people have died in the past month during the SIR process,” she said. “We will continue to fight to protect democratic rights and are prepared to lay down our lives for this cause.”