A man who questioned the State government’s policy on farmers during a rally addressed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Maoist-affected Jangalmahal on Wednesday, has been arrested under non-bailable sections.
Shiladitya Chowdhury, a resident of Binpur in Paschim Medinipur who had gone to the rally at Belpahari, was produced before a district court on Saturday and remanded in14-day judicial custody.
Assault charge
“Chowdhury has been charged with attempts to break into a high-security zone, using threatening language and assaulting police personnel,” Bharati Ghosh, Superintendent of Police (Jhargram), told The Hindu over telephone.
The accused was booked under Section 332 of the IPC (voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant while discharging his duties), Section 353 (assault or use of criminal force), Section 447 (punishment for criminal trespass) and Section 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).
At the rally, Mr. Chowdhury said farmers were dying as the price of fertilizers was increasing and government was not doing enough.
Eyewitnesses said that Ms. Banerjee was heard giving directions to isolate him from the crowd, referring to him as a “Maoist.”
Following the incident, police personnel detained him for questioning. He was, however, allowed to walk free that day.
His arrest, three days on, has once again brought to the fore the issue of Ms. Banerjee’s perceived intolerance to criticism directed at her government.
In May this year, during a television show hosted by a private channel, Ms. Banerjee had called the students in the audience “Maoists” and “supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)” as some of them put up uncomfortable questions to her.
Keywords: Mamata Banerjee, Siladitya Chowdhury, farmer arrest
Being elected on the basis of manifesto describing agricultural reform
its first priority,when back in power complete ignorance of the real
cause of victory by disclaimer that those who are suffering with the
government policy and putting there problem in front are "Maiost".This
merely implicate how Didi is blindfolded in by the power of her
office.She should not forget,the chair which give her authority is by
the people and for the people.
If the price of fertilizers is increasing, it is high time the farmers switched over to organic farming. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should impose a 1000% tax on pesticides, herbicides and other poisons. Those farmers who wish to continue to poison the consumer must find other jobs.
So, whats next? Any person who votes against Mamata Banerjee is also a Maoist?
The Maoists must be laughing themselves away to sleep over her irresponsible comments. Does she not realise that she is handing them a victory by such comments?
She is dictatorial. Dictators are insecure and do not like dissent. The
complexities of democracy seems to be beyond her, though she herself
came to power through severe dissent and street fights.
One minister in U.P. tells his officer to "steal little" if they do hard labor; another minister, sorry a chief minster, tells her men to initiate legal proceeding against anyone vocal about her. What a statesmanship!....
This is becoming a farcical dictatorship, and if it continues President's rule may need to be imposed in West Bengal. The constitutional rights of citizens MUST be upheld.
Why does our government trouble it's own citizens in such ways? Why is it wrong to question public servants especially when they present themselves to questioning?
Has Mamtha no shame at all for behaving this way? So what if she is being questioned by a Maoist? Does she not have the decency or maturity to take it like an adult?
Our system should change. Those in power should not be allowed to exploit the system in such ways.
Shame on a sham democracy
anyone who questions Mamata didi is Maoist in her eyes!
Its actually sounds funny that WB chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has one good excuse to defend herself calling anybody who questions her to be a maoist. We all know India is a democratic country and we choose our leader. So I have a question too, the one who elects you (i.e the people of the country ) don't have the right to question the leader????
As expected, any who opposes her is a Maoist/CPI(M). There goes the freedom of expression, protest.
still I am not surprised.
What is going on in the West Benagal is not sign of healthy democracy.
In democracy there is always scope for dissent and debate.
How is this any different from the usual Marxist tactics?
This is high handedness by a state chief. This is a complete failure of a democratic mechanism in that state. She should remember that she is accountable to the people and must answer all queries related to the development of that state.
I don't have the words to describe this incident. Really shows the
immaturity of Mamata.
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