Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday called for unity and warned that divisiveness can lead to unrest and breaking up. “Batenge toh katenge,” the chief minsiter said citing the example of Bangladesh that has seen months of riots, change in regime, and widespread violence.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader was speaking at an event in Agra during the unveiling of the statue of Durgadas Rathore.
“Nothing can be above the nation. And the nation will be empowered only when we are united. ‘batenge to katenge’. You are seeing what is happening in Bangladesh. Those mistakes should not be repeated here… ‘Batenge to katenge, ek rahenge to nek rahenge’,” he said.
Other BJP leaders had earlier also warned that the situation prevailing in Bangladesh might see a repetition in India.
Earlier on Monday, BJP leader and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut shared a controversial clip on micro social media platform X, where she alleged that the farmers’ protest against the Centre’s three farm laws were similar to that of Bangladesh’s student protests which led to the ousting of former PM Sheikh Hasina.
“Bangladesh like anarchy could have happened in India also like in the name of Farmers protest. Outside forces are planning to destroy us with the help of insiders. If it wouldn’t have been foresight of our leadership they would have succeeded,” she said in an interview. “Bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place,” she added.
However, the BJP isn’t the only political faction that has made such a statement. Congress leader and former union minister Salman Khurshid had also said the same and sparked backlash from the saffron party.
“Everything may look normal in Kashmir. Everything may look normal here. We may be celebrating the victory, although of course, some people believe that that victory or that success of 2024 was perhaps only marginal, perhaps a lot more needs to be done…What’s happening in Bangladesh can happen here… the spread in our country prevents things blowing up in the manner in which they’ve blown up in Bangladesh,” said the leader of the grand old party while speaking at event.
The BJP, in response, questioned whether it was meant as a warning.
“The main opposition party Congress wants the same situation in India…This is a warning Salman Khurshid has given on behalf of the Congress,” said BJP leader Sambit Patra.
