Intellectuals hold silent march to protest loss of democracy

KOLKATA: A group of intellectuals today led a silent procession in the city to protest against the "loss of democracy" in West Bengal.

"We are here to protest against injustice meted out to the people of this state. Violence has increased. We are here to stand against brutality of the state government and demand restoration of democratic norms," retired Supreme Court judge Ashok Ganguly said.

Ashok, who has been former chairman of the state human rights commission, was speaking at the end of the procession in Esplanade which had started from College Square.

BJP leader and cinestar Rupa Ganguly, who joined the march covering her mouth with a black cloth, said there was no political colour in the protest-march.

"Someone here is from the Congress, some are from the CPI(M) and BJP as well while many others are students and common people. Our protest is against the brutality meted out by the state government," she said

People from different political parties took part in the procession. Lawyer and CPI-M leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya was also amongst them.

Shiladitya Chadhuri, a farmer of West Midnapore district, whom Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had dubbed a Maoist at a public rally in 2012, attracted most of the attention as he came out wearing a prisoner's costume complete with a chain.

"No one in this state has got the freedom to express his opinion. We are all tied up. What was my mistake? I want to know. We want democratic rule in this state," said Chadhuri.

Filmmakers Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Tarun Majumdar were also part of the protest amongst other poets and writers.