Kolkata, October 3:  Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in Kolkata to inaugurate a Durga puja pandal on Wednesday. At the event, Shah said that there was a time when people had to knock on the High Court doors to immerse Durga idols as “the constitutional right to celebrate festivals was not guaranteed to them", TMC President Mamata Banerjee has replied in favour of communal harmony.

According to an Indian Express report, she said, "Durga puja is the biggest festival in the world. It is not only for Hindus but also for Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Jains. We have to take everyone along with us." Amit Shah to Allay NRC Fears During West Bengal Visit.

Pointing at State Urban Development Minister and senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim, who was present on a dais, the CM said that Hakim inspite of being a Muslim organises puja. "Can we say that he cannot do that as he is a Muslim? Can we divide people like this? A festival is for all," said Hakim.

Over the last few months, since the announcement of Shah's inauguration of Durga puja pandal, the TMC leadership has accused the BJP of trying to politicise the festival. The saffron party also retorted to it by saying that TMC has "hijacked" all the big-ticket Durga Pujas in the city since it came to power in the state in 2011.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 03, 2019 02:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).