Bengal Left leaders join ‘ban cheerleaders’ chorus

“It (their performance) should be banned immediately,” said Nandagopal Bhattacharya, the CPI Minister for Minor Irrigation.

Even Sports and Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty, now trying to get into the state CPI(M)’s secretariat, joined the anti-cheerleading group, forgetting that he hosted the “Hope 86” show in 1986 by Bollywood stars and invited the wrath of party hardliners for importing vulgar culture.

“I am against such song and dance,” said Chakraborty. “All this is western culture. These things cannot be allowed on Kolkata’s playing field.” He said he would not allow such events even on football field.

Kshiti Goswami, the veteran Revolutionary Socialist Party leader and Public Works Minister, said cheerleaders merely distracted dedicated Cricket fans. “It should not be allowed on Kolkata’s ground,” he added.

Kolkata will host an IPL match on April 29.

When the state’s chief secretary, Amit Kiran Deb, was asked if the Government would ban the cheerleaders from performing at Eden, he said it would consider the protests.

However, he added, “Now, I can’t see much protests. Even the newspapers are not saying much.”