Kolkata: Khela Hobe Diva played in West Bengal today is being celebrated. Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee had last month announced to celebrate August 16 every year as 'Khela Hobe Diwas'. Mamata will distribute more than one lakh football across Bengal today.

It may be recalled that Mamata Banerjee had given the slogan 'Khela Hobe' during the West Bengal assembly elections. Since then, the slogan has become the slogan of the opposition all over the country. A few days ago, the TMC supremo said that Khela Hobe has become popular all over the country. Today the whole country is playing Hobe speaking. Hobe is also being spoken in Delhi. In that case, we have to take this slogan further and make it immortal. In fact, 40 years ago, on August 16, 1970, many people were killed in violence that erupted during a football match in Bengal. In her memory, Mamata Banerjee has announced to celebrate Hobe Diwas played on August 16 every year.

Let's say, National Football Lovers Day (Rashtriya Football Premi Diwas) is also celebrated on August 16. On the same day in 1980, 16 football lovers lost their lives in the violence between Mohan Bagan and East Bengal at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata. On this day in 1946, Mohammed Ali Jinnah announced Direct Action Day, in which thousands of Hindus were killed. The BJP has accused Mamata of promoting communalism by celebrating Hobe Diwas played on Direct Action Day.

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