Shameful Events

We the undersigned have been dismayed and revolted by the recent events in and around Nandigram in West Bengal’s East Medinapur district. The manner in which the anti-socials of the dominant party in the ruling front attacked the residents to re-establish domination over the area exposes the party’s lack of commitment to democratic values, principles and norms. The actions of these people under the benign indulgence of the state administration can only strengthen the criminalised and anti-democratic forces in our polity. For four days since the operation began, the media and journalists had not been allowed to enter Nandigram, indicating that there was much to hide.

We condemn the assault by the anti-socials carrying the Red Flag and functioning under the protection and encouragement of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) on the group of reputed social activists, writers, intellectuals and artists led by Medha Patkar who were on a visit to Nandigram to find out first hand what was going on and express their solidarity with the hapless residents evicted from their hearths and homes. Not only were they prevented from entering Nandigram, they were subjected to physical violence and intimidation. The events in Nandigram are inconsistent with the norms of democratic functioning, claims of creating an alternative political culture and the traditions of Bengali culture.