I can understand why Didi is jittery: PM Modi at rally in West Bengal

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had to cut short his address at a public rally in Thakurnagar, West Bengal, amid stampede-like situation. The rally was a kick-starter for BJP's campaign in the state ahead of Lok Sabha elections but due to the overwhelming crowd, PM Modi had to end his speech in 14 minutes.

Noticing the crowd, PM Modi urged the attendees to maintain calm in a ground which he said was too small for the number of people gathered.

"I request people to stay calm. This venue has fallen short against the people gathered. Please stand wherever you are. I am pleased to see your excitement," urged the PM.

"After watching this view, I can understand why Didi (Banerjee) and her party are indulging in violence...killing innocent people. She has become jittery because of your love for us," he said.




The Prime Minister also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution.

"The country was broken into pieces and those who did it thought that people will be able to manage wherever they will go. But those people were persecuted in respective countries and had to return to India. For these people, India is their only refuge," said the PM.

"The Hindus had to return, Sikhs and Parsis had to return. Should these people not be given their rights to return? Their lives were destroyed because the country was broken. I request you to support the the Citizenship (amendment) Bill," he added.

Several injured due to stampede-like situation

Several women and children were injured, a senior police officer said. While Modi was addressing the well-attended rally of the Matua community, hundreds of supporters who were standing outside the venue tried to barge into the inner ring of the rally ground, leading to commotion.

Modi tried to pacify the crowd by asking them to stay put in their places and stop from making efforts to come on the front side of the inner ring. However, his pleas went unheard as supporters started throwing chairs inside the no-man zone in front of the stage to make space for others to stand in the inner ring, which was earmarked for women supporters.

Following the commotion, Modi abruptly cut short his speech, saying he has another rally to attend and decided to leave the location.

Several women and children fainted during the stampede-like situation and were also rushed to the hospital for primary treatment, the officer said.

(With inputs from PTI)