Monday, 16 September 2024
Monday, 16 September 2024
The brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked outrage and protests across the nation. Many Bengali celebrities, including actor Swastika Mukherjee and director Srijit Mukherjee, have been seen in the many protests that have erupted. Some have faced hooting and heckling, like actor-director Aparna Sen and Rituparna Sengupta.
Some, like actor and Trinamul MP Dev, have spoken up albeit tangentially, while others like TV funnyman-turned-MLA Kanchan Mullick have criticised the protests.
Here’s a look at a few usually vocal prominent names whose silence or soft stance has been deafeningly loud.
Sabyasachi Chakraborty: Activism to silence
In 2013, during a massive rally against the gang-rape and murder of a college girl in Kamduni, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, a popular actor known for his left leanings, joined thousands in Kolkata to protest against atrocities on women. He walked alongside poets, painters, and social activists, decrying the government's "insensitive" reaction. In the aftermath of the RG Kar tragedy, Chakraborty hasn’t spoken a word in public.
Konkona Sen Sharma: Past advocate, present silence
Konkona Sen Sharma was outspoken about sexual harassment during the Me Too movement. In an interview to NDTV, she highlighted how such experiences are a norm for women in India. “It is taken as a matter of norm,” she said. She has remained silent on RG Kar.
Madhabi Mukherjee: A mother’s voice, now quiet
Bengali actress Madhabi Mukherjee was a passionate advocate of harsh punishment for crimes against women. During the 1990 Dhananjoy Chatterjee case, she was at the forefront, demanding capital punishment. In an interview to a leading daily in 2004, she said, "We want this man to be hanged without any further delay.” Mukherjee has not commented on the RG Kar incident yet.
Anirban Bhattacharya: Once vocal, now missing
Prominent theatre and movie actor Anirban Bhattacharya is known for taking a strong stand against violence and intimidation. When his fellow actor’s theatre troupe faced threats and disruptions in 2022, Bhattacharya declared on social media: “My next performance is on January 15 at Rabindra Sadan stage. Come and kill me.” This post has since been removed, and Bhattacharya has not commented on the recent RG Kar case.
Kabir Suman: Vocal for local Didi
Veteran singer-songwriter and former Trinamul MP Kabir Suman broke his silence on the RG Kar case through a social media post on August 17. He admitted that he is a proud ‘chotichata’ (bootlicker, a term chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s opponents use for those who like her). He hoped the protesters would not use his songs in the movement.
Sourav Ganguly: Backfoot drive after backlash
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, who had described the RG Kar rape-murder as an “isolated incident,” faced widespread criticism. He later clarified his statement, expressing hope for strict punishment but also emphasising that this should not lead to questioning the overall safety of women in Bengal..
