Mamata Banerjee on Monday threw her weight behind arrested climate activist Disha Ravi and other voices of dissent allegedly being silenced by the saffron ecosystem.
The chief minister accused the BJP of discrimination in arresting the likes of the young climate activist while sparing “their (own) nuisance-creators”.
Mamata, in response to a question on Disha’s arrest, said at a news meet at the state secretariat on Monday evening that she felt “sorry”.
“I have seen it…it was reported in the newspapers and social media. I feel sorry,” said Mamata.
“Even Rajdeep Sardesai and other journalists were not spared…I am really sorry,” she said, apparently referring to senior journalists Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Zafar Agha, Paresh Nath, Anant Nath and Vinod K. Jose being formally accused over their tweets and comments about a farmer’s death during the Republic Day violence in Delhi. “Those actually guilty, especially the BJP IT cell, however (are being spared),” she added.
“A 21-year-old girl or Sardesai, a Padma Shri awardee, or other journalists from Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, or even students (are targeted)....But they can spare their (own) nuisance-creators. That is most unfortunate, the discrimination,” said the Trinamul chief.
Mamata went on to demand answers on the alleged misuse of social media by the BJP IT cell and other outfits in the saffron camp to further their agenda.
“Why is the BJP misusing social networks this way? I remember once Union home minister (Amit Shah) said they can get fake news go viral through 50 lakh WhatsApp groups alone, in a matter of seconds,” said Mamata.
“Is it fair, from a political party? Fight politically, but don’t abuse, accuse the people. Don’t beat up farmers, or students, or others,” she added.
“It is their pattern. They cannot even spare a 21-year-old girl,” said Mamata.
On Monday, Delhi police alleged that Disha, along with two other suspects Nikita Jacob and Shantanu, created the “toolkit” document related to the farmers’ protest and shared on social media. The police claimed Disha, arrested from Bangalore and remanded to five-day police custody ‑ sent the “toolkit” to teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, a global icon, via the Telegram app.
Thunberg had shared the “toolkit” to lend her support to the farmers’ agitation against the contentious farm laws of the Narendra Modi government.
In the document, various forms of urgent action, including the creation of a Twitter storm and protests outside the Indian embassies, were listed. The “toolkit” has been cited by the saffron ecosystem as “proof” of her alleged conspiracy to fuel protests in India.
The police told court that Disha’s custody was required to probe an alleged larger conspiracy against the government of India and to ascertain her alleged role relating to the Khalistan movement.
Mamata on Monday also lashed out at the BJP over Disha’s arrest.
Mamata also attacked the Centre over rising fuel prices.
“Everyone is concerned about it. Every day they have been increasing the prices of diesel or petrol or LPG, while all subsidies are being withdrawn,” the chief minister said.
“Now, if a gas cylinder costs Rs 800, then someone who earns Rs 5,000 a month, how will they afford it? It’s a matter of concern and the Centre has not been taking any serious steps on this,” she added. “Only at the time of approaching elections, they reduce it for three-four days and after elections, they again keep increasing it. This has become a pattern, a tradition for them. We are very concerned, and will request the Centre not to do this.”
