Singer Harassed Over Song Choice, Organiser Arrested
West Bengal artist Lagnajita Chakraborty alleges abuse, assault attempt during live concert
- Event organiser arrested for allegedly harassing singer during concert
- Singer says she was abused for performing a devotional song
- Police initiate probe against local officers for alleged negligence
- BJP targets Trinamool, calls incident anti-Hindu
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 21st Dec: A man has been arrested for allegedly harassing and attempting to assault West Bengal singer Lagnajita Chakraborty during a live concert in East Midnapore district on Saturday after objecting to the song she was performing.
According to police, the accused, Mehboob Mallik, was the main organiser of the programme and also the owner of the private school in Bhagwanpur where the event was held. Senior police officer Mitun Dey said Mallik was taken into custody following a complaint by the singer.
Chakraborty, who rose to popularity with the Bengali song Basanto Eshe Geche, alleged that she was singing the devotional track “Jago Maa” when the organiser came on stage, abused her and tried to physically assault her. “He wanted to beat me up,” the singer stated in her police complaint.
She alleged that Mallik shouted at her, saying, “Onek Jago Maa hoyeche, ebar kichu secular gaa (enough of Jago Maa, now sing some secular song).” The singer also claimed that when she initially approached the Bhagwanpur police station, the officer-in-charge refused to register her complaint.
Police officials later intervened, a case was registered, and the accused was arrested. Mitun Dey said a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the officer-in-charge of Bhagwanpur police station and another officer for alleged negligence. “Action will be taken against them,” he said.
The incident triggered political reactions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that the accused is associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress. BJP leader Shankudeb Panda described the episode as “anti-Hindu” and accused the state government of shielding the accused.
“West Bengal is in the hands of jihadists. They are directing a singer on what song she should sing,” Panda alleged, also accusing the police of initially refusing to act under pressure from the state government.
There was no immediate response from the Trinamool Congress on the allegations.
