Mamata squirms after Mahasweta calls her a fascist

“Any organisation or any individual can have its own opinion,which might not be identical with the government. And any organisation and political party opposing the government’s move should not be barred from holding rallies or protests. It is their democratic right. If the government does not allow the organisations to speak their mind and choke their voices,we call it nothing but fascism.

What should I call her (Chief Minister) other than a fascist,” Mahashweta told mediapersons.

She said that in the last 64 years,the government never stopped any protest. “But the ‘people’s government’ has done it today. It means that people have lost their right to speak their mind at Metro Channel. In the last 34 years,I have criticised several anti-people decisions of the former government. The government has to withdraw its ban,otherwise,we will think that we have brought ‘Fascism’ in the state in the name of ‘Change’,” she added.

Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply and minced no words to show her disappointment. “I respect Mahashweta Devi. She is being prompted by others to say such things. And the people around her are continuously misleading her and forcing her to speak lies. I am hurt after listening to her comments. I am not liking it and I have not taken the word ‘fascism’ well since it has been used against me,” the chief minister said.

According to Debaprasad Roychoudhury of APDR,the group had met Joint Commissioner (Headquarters) of Kolkata Police on November 4. “We had sought permission for three days — from November 22 to November 24. He gave us permission for November 23 and November 24. But later the permission was cancelled through a letter sent to our office when our preparation for the meeting is almost complete,” said Roychoudhury.

“Our team met him the next day and he told us that permission for the APDR meeting has been withdrawn due to ‘administrative reason’,” he added.

The chief minister said police won’t allow any public meeting that glorifies Maoists’ agenda and serves the interest of the ultras. “Police have every right to restrict such rallies and meetings. Moreover,there are provisions that we can take action against those who will support and help the Maoists,” she said.

Banerjee also came down heavily on APDR,saying the group was raising funds to help the Maoists. “In the last few days,several villagers were killed by the Maoists. But how many meetings did the APDR hold to protest against those killings by the Maoists? APDR is an organisation that is working for the Maoists and has become an agent of the Maoists,” she added.

A host of other “intellectuals” came out in support of Mahasweta Devi and condemned the government’s move to stop the rally. They described it as an “undemocratic step” by the government,which came to power through such struggles.

Later at the press conference,Mahashweta Devi fell ill after a section of journalists repeatedly started asking about her alleged “allegiance towards the Maoists” and why has she not condemned any killings by the Maoists. As she looked sick and seemed to gasp for air,she was hurriedly taken out of the venue.