Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 18 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the Waqf Amendment Act, stressing that laws passed by the Indian Parliament are applicable across the country and binding on all states.

‘If any law is passed by the Indian Parliament, it is for the whole country, and every state has to follow it,’ CM Sai told ANI.

His response comes days after Mamata Banerjee said that there would be ‘no divide and rule’ in West Bengal. She acknowledged that the Waqf Amendment Act had caused distress among the Muslim community but urged them not to be provoked politically.

‘I want to tell the people from the minority community that I know that you are pained by the Waqf Amendment Act but have faith that there will be no divide and rule in Bengal. You should give the message of live and let live,’ Banerjee said while speaking at the Navkar Mahamantra Divas event.

‘It is our work to give protection to those who are living in Bengal. I appeal to you all that if anyone provokes you politically to assemble, then please don't do it. Please remember that Didi will protect you and your property. If we stay together, then we can conquer the world,’ she added.

She further stated that efforts were being made to malign Bengal.

‘Our aim is to unite, not divide. When we stay united, the country will progress. Our policy is to live and let live peacefully. Some people are defaming Bengal, saying that I don't give protection to the Hindu religion in the state. Then who gives protection to all? I must give credit to the minorities in Bengal who also celebrate Hindu festivals in the state. I am proud to say this is Bengal,’ Banerjee said.

Meanwhile, CM Vishnu Deo Sai also extended his greetings on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and highlighted his historic contributions.

The Chief Minister noted that despite being born in a Dalit family, Dr Ambedkar pursued higher education in America and made a lasting impact on India’s democratic foundation.

CM Sai also participated in a Jai Bhim Padayatra on Sunday morning in Raipur to commemorate Dr Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

Speaking to reporters, Sai said, ‘...We have organised this padyatra to celebrate Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar... Congress, the party that has finished in the country, talks about the constitution, but many times, they tried to destroy the constitution. They made many amendments in the constitution wrongly...’

Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, is also scheduled to lead a Jai Bhim Padyatra in Patna, Bihar, on April 13, with over 10,000 MY Bharat volunteers expected to participate, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced.

The ministry further stated that similar padyatras would be conducted simultaneously across all major state capitals.

‘This marks the first time a nationwide padyatra is being conducted across state capitals, uniting thousands of youth in a collective tribute to Babasaheb's vision of equality, justice, and fraternity,’ the statement added.

April 14 is observed as the birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar.

(ANI)