A day after members of civil society including a section of city’s intelligentsia hit the streets to protest the growing atrocities on women including recent incidents of rape, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday that “those making tall claims on television channels” should instead help in increasing awareness against crime on women.
“Those associated with cinema, theatre and literature can appeal to the people so that there is no such crime against women,” she said, addressing a rally in Bankura district.
Ms. Banerjee reiterated her criticism on “talk shows” on television channels saying that it is doing no good... only “children are learning what they should not.”
She remained critical of those who had taken to the streets against her and said, “those who claim to be the harbingers of change are belittling our tireless 34 year-long crusade against the Left Front.”
“I thank Mahasweta Devi for her efforts and inspiration. But the others are just trying to enjoy the fruits of our struggle,” she added.
Earlier this week in a scathing attack against television channels and the panellists who appear on such shows, Ms. Banerjee had said that some of them “are involved in pornography,” which had sparked widespread criticism.
Chairperson of the State Left Front Committee Biman Bose also ridiculed Ms. Banerjee’s comment and described it as a “weird remark.”
