Kolkata: Since results were announced for the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, Trinamool Congress's "Khela Hobe" slogan has gained significance on the national political platform. The slogan has already become popular nationally. The Trinamool Congress parliamentarians also raised this slogan on the floor of the Parliament to counter BJP. Now, the "Khela Hobe Divas", the dream project of the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, will be celebrated in other states as well. After West Bengal and Tripura, an initiative has started to celebrate the day in Yogi Adityanath- ruled Uttar Pradesh.
On July 21, 2021, the chief minister announced that August 16 will be declared as the "Khela Hobe Divas" in West Bengal. Already initiatives have started in different corners of the state to celebrate the day. The day will be celebrated in every block of the state this year.
However, the BJP leadership, which is currently the principal opposition party in the state has already become vocal against this move. According to them, by celebrating "Khela Hobe Divas" on August 16, Trinamool Congress is trying to rekindle the memories of 'The Great Calcutta Killing' in 1946.
Also read: Khela Hobe Divas being planned to remember football fans killed 40 years ago: Mamata
"On August 16, 1947, Muslim League launched its Direct Action Day that resulted in the 'Great Calcutta Killing.' The 'Khela Hobe' slogan has become a symbol of the ruling party's atrocities over the opposition worker," said BJP's Rajya Sabha member, Swapan Dasgupta.
However, Mamata Banerjee justified the 'Khela Hobe Divas'. "On August 16, 1980, a tragic incident took place in Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Following clashes between the supporters of two popular football teams and stampede, 16 people lost their lives. Since then the day is observed as "Football Lovers' Day." So keeping that in mind the state government has decided to observe that day as 'Khela Hobe Divas'."
In fact, the slogan "Khela Hobe" played an extremely crucial role in ensuring Trinamool Congress's victory for the third consecutive term in West Bengal. Now, according to Mamata Banerjee, through that slogan, she wants to unite the people of the state.
Sources from the Uttar Pradesh unit of Trinamool Congress said that on August 16, the day will be celebrated at Lucknow by organizing a friendly football match. "All will be organized keeping in mind the COVID-19 protocols. We have already sought the permission of the state government on this count, however, we are yet to get a reply from the state government," a Trinamool leader in charge of UP said. Now, the question is whether the approval will ultimately come or not.
Also read: BJP links TMC's 'Khela Hobe Divas' with 'Direct Action Day' of 1946
Speaking on this issue, senior Trinamool Congress MLA and the party spokesman, Tapas Roy said that Mamata Bandopadhyay is a national leader.
"The Trinamool Congress workers throughout the country have got united. The popularity graph of Mamata Banerjee throughout the country is soaring by the day. If the Uttar Pradesh government does not give the permission finally, it will be apparent that BJP is scared of Trinamool Congress," Roy said.
