Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 21 (IANS) Renowned writer Mahasweta Devi, who had backed Mamata Banerjee against the erstwhile Left Front, Monday termed the West Bengal government “fascist”, prompting the chief minister to say that the writer was “misinformed and misled”.

Mahasweta Devi’s comment came after the Association of Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) was denied permission to hold a rally at Metro channel area in the city hub.

“During Left rule, I have protested against undemocratic activities. But now I see that the new government is trying to curb the voice of protest. I condemn this… Have we ushered in a fascist regime?” the Magsaysay awardee asked.

“This kind of thing has never happened earlier in 64 years (after independence). This is nothing but fascism, how can we support fascism?”

A rattled Banerjee responded by saying the octogenarian writer was “misinformed and misled”.

“I respect her age. So I won’t say anything against her. But I didn’t like it. She was misinformed and misled. I was watching the press conference. I was seeing how she was being told what to say and what not to. I was hurt,” said Banerjee.

“It is totally false that we have asked them not to hold any rally. Actually, the Metro channel area was booked by some other organisation for the meeting. So we had asked APDR to hold the rally somewhere else. Now they are spreading rumours,” she added.

Banerjee also accused the APDR of fronting for the Maoists.

“In the name of human rights, some people are acting as agents of the Maoists. What were those APDR people doing when innocent people were killed by the Maoists?” Banerjee said.