A row has erupted after Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) objected to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s “shelter offer” to people from violence-hit Bangladesh. Banerjee hit back at MEA saying “they shouldn’t teach me a lesson”.
“I know the federal structure very well. I was an MP seven times and a Union minister twice. I know the MEA policy very well. They shouldn't teach me a lesson; they should learn from the system instead,” Banerjee said in a presser.
Earlier, Banerjee had made offer yo the people in violence-hit Bangladesh at the annual Marytrs' Day rally of her party—TMC in Kolkata on July 21.
“I should not be speaking on the affairs of Bangladesh as it is a sovereign nation. But I can tell you this, if helpless people come knocking on the doors of Bengal, we will surely provide them shelter,” Banerjee had reportedly said.
“That's because of a United Nations resolution to accommodate refugees in regions adjacent to those under turmoil,” she added.
Banerjee's comments came amid student-led anti-quota protests in Bangladesh, which turned violent last week.
In reaction Bangladesh’s FM Dr Hasan Mahmud had said, “With due respect, I want to say that we share a very good and warm relationship with CM Mamata Banerjee. But this statement has a scope of creating confusion. We have given a note to the Government of India on this issue.”
Two days later, the MEA's confirmed that Bangladesh had lodged a formal protest with India.
“According to the list of subject matters allocated to the central government under the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, the conduct of foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country are the sole prerogatives of the Union government,” MEA said.
