The Visva-Bharati centennial celebrations in Shantiniketan on Thursday were no different. Prime Minister Modi addressed the function via video conference, but Chief Minister of State Mamata Banerjee skipped the celebrations. Mamata later said that she was never invited to the event.
Addressing the centennial celebrations, Prime Minister Modi said the university’s 100-year journey is very special. “Visva-Bharati is a true embodiment of Gurudev’s contemplation, vision and hard work for Maa Bharti (Mother India). This is a lovely place, which gives continuous energy to the country to fulfill Gurudev’s dreams, “he said.
Modi said Visva-Bharati was the embodiment of the Nobel laureate’s vision and hard work and a “venerable source of constant energy for the country.”
He said, today, India was spreading the Visva-Bharati message to the world.
“India today leads the world in the field of environmental protection through the International Solar Alliance and is the only country that is moving at a rapid pace to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement,” he said.
However, Mamata had a different view of the university, saying that those who are currently heading the central university “do not play an integral role” in carrying Tagore’s legacy forward.
The prime minister, however, tweeted that Visva-Bharati evokes a sense of pride, having completed 100 years of establishment.
“বিশ্বসাথে যোগে যেথায় বিহারো, সেইখানে যোগ তোমার সাথে আমারো” Visva Bharati University turns 100 years old. This temple of le… https://t.co/9X8DopX4yE
– Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) 1608783808000
‘Visva-Bharati’ was declared a Central University and Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament in 1951.
‘PM practices what he preaches’
Meanwhile, hours after Prime Minister Modi’s speech, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Bratya Basu asked if the prime minister practiced what he preached.
“The prime minister referred to the word viswa (world) in the context of acceptance in India. But does he practice this spirit of acceptance? So what about the cow watchers who beat people to death? I ask.
Basu was also offended that Prime Minister Modi established a link between the Tagore family and his home state, Gujarat. “I did not understand why he deliberately tried to link Rabindranath Tagore with Gujarat. The prime minister claimed Jnanadanandini Tagore, her sister-in-law, learned a style of draping saree from Gujarati women. It is partially true. Jnanadanandini also learned this style from Parsi women. But the prime minister is naturally reluctant to mention Parsi women. ”
He added that Tagore is a “Viswakavi” (universal poet). “So why is the Prime Minister so enthusiastic about establishing his (Tagore’s) ties with Gujarat? It is unfair to restrict their relevance to one particular region.”
‘Don’t drag the university into a political controversy’
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said Visva-Bharati University should not be embroiled in political controversy.
“Not all balls are meant to be played in the game of cricket and not all balls are meant to be saved. The university should not be dragged into a political controversy. Those who want to put Visva Bharati University in the face of a controversy, I appeal to you to give the institution and the vice-chancellor full autonomy, ”said Dhankhar.
Nadda attacks Mamata for ‘boycotting’ Visva-Bharati event
President of BJP JP Nadda accused Mamata Banerjee of “boycotting” the Visva-Bharati centennial celebrations due to her “jealousy, political malice and rivalry”.
He also accused Mamata of denigrating the culture of the state and the prestige of Rabindranath Tagore.
विश्व भारती विश्वविद्यालय दुनिया भर में बंगाल की पहचान है। प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी विश्व भारती के शता… https://t.co/ZW7w0BJdBi
– Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) 1608811678000
While attacking her in her tweets, Nadda said that Modi has a deep faith in the culture, literature and philosophy associated with the state and Tagore.
“Now Bengal will destroy Mamata’s arrogance and give the BJP a chance to make ‘sound bangla,'” he said, in an apparent reference to the elections scheduled for March-April next year.
(With contributions from the agency)
.
