India, July 28 -- West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday attacked the centre for allegedly depriving the state of funds even as she hit out over the recent announcement of India giving Rs.4,850 crore Line of Credit to Maldives.

Mamata Banerjee launched the 'Bhasha Andolan' (Language Movement) from Bolpur in Birbhum district, declaring that she would "give up her life, but not allow anyone to snatch her language", according to news agency PTI.

Mamata Banerjee, taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asked, "When you travel to Arab nations and hug the sheikhs, do you ask whether they are Hindus or Muslims?"

She also hit out at the PM's recent visit to Maldives and said, "Did you ask Maldives president his religion wh...