No ‘Azaadi’ Slogans or Palestinian Flags in Bengal Processions, Says Adhikari

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday warned that people raising separatist slogans such as “Kashmir maange Azaadi” would face arrest, while asserting that Palestinian flags would not be permitted in processions across the state.

Addressing an event organised by a private vernacular news channel, Adhikari said political protests and slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad” were legitimate forms of dissent. He said people were also free to protest against him, the BJP government or organisations such as the ABVP if they believed any wrongdoing had occurred.

However, he stressed that his government would not compromise on “nation first” and the ideological legacy of BJP leaders Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Adhikari said there was no restriction on people carrying religious flags during processions and that those carrying the Indian national flag were welcome. However, he questioned the purpose of carrying Palestinian flags in local processions.

“Why the Palestinian flag? Who are you trying to provoke?” he said, adding that such activities would not be allowed in West Bengal.

The chief minister referred to the alleged recovery of Palestinian flags from an Islamic procession on Wednesday and said arrests had been made in connection with the incident.

Issuing a specific warning over separatist slogans, Adhikari said, “Say Inquilab Zindabad, but if you say Azaadi, you will face a case.” He added that those raising slogans such as “Kashmir maange Azaadi” would be arrested.

Adhikari also criticised references to slain Maoist leader Kishanji on university walls, saying slogans such as “Red Salute” to him would not be tolerated.

Invoking Bengal’s role in India’s freedom struggle, he cited Sri Aurobindo, Surendranath Banerjee and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, saying the state had made a significant contribution to the nationalist movement.

He added that his government remained open to constructive criticism and would take responsibility for its actions.