Editor,
Apropos Albert Thyrniang’s article captioned “On UDP’s blatant hypocrisy,” (ST April 4, 2021) followed by Dr. Jemino Mawthoh’s reaction on April 12, 2021, I am compelled to express my utter shock that the writer Albert Thyrniang, has chosen to dump us all in the UDP as blatant hyprocrites, no one, not even our worst political foes had ever said so. I know one Rev. Albert Thyrniang and I don’t believe he is the one who lambasted us as criminals, with malicious intent, using abusive and slanderous terms, normally done only by those who work for some hard-core opponents.
Whoever the writer may be, I welcome his observations, since it is normal for us to face criticism, condemnations in democracy in a manner politicians do and we do within the scope and limitations, understanding that there can be no permanent friends and foes in politics. We know how to restrain ourselves within the parliamentary parameters. Albert is duty bound to prove the hypocrisy tag he used against us. I am flabbergasted that I am a hypocrite too and let me tell Albert, I know no hypocrite in our Party nor in other parties in our State as well.
The writer touched on many controversial issues within the wide political spectrum, like the rat hole coal mining, current MeECL imbroglio, law and order and other issues and abused the UDP that the party blackmails the hapless MDA government, etc. Worst political controversies have been there in the past and will be there in future too, depending on the wisdom or otherwise of the political dispensations that be.
There were worst issues like the MLAs being disqualified in 1990-91, warranting President’s Rule in the State, the teachers’ scam 2013, the coal mining, ILP, crimes and other law and order issues and what not. Such issues are everywhere in the country today. The writer even claimed, that UDP play politics over the electricity corporation MeECL, when we actually try to contain the many failures and shady deals that came up in public and he dared whether UDP can resolve the crisis if the Power portfolio is given to the Party. I accept his bet that we will not shy away from any responsibility and we will definitely be in a position to contain the damage and restore normalcy.
Our leaders have managed even to get the state carved out Assam, the NEHU and we managed to retain NEIGRIHMS within the State and we have done many wonders so that we are what we are today. I blow no trumpet, I have done my part too and if wanted, I can go public. Slanderous accusations even against any hapless individual are not only malicious but outrageously unlawful and contemptuous and can attracts judicial contempt proceedings.
We hypocrite politicians in UDP, welcome Albert to go on criticizing, accuse or condemn the way he wants, but we would like to sincerely advise him to toe within the parameters of the law and not to enter into the areas where even Angels fear to tread. As for his call to the public to be careful of the UDP in 2023, we welcome even if he comes out openly to go against us. We believe in our honesty and will do our part
Yours etc.,
B M Lanong,
Via email
Between ignorance and impudence
Editor,
Now the BJP is terming Raja Ram Mohon Roy who worked to ban Sati as the chamcha of the British and Sati is being termed as, “not regressive.” The narrative touted out today is that Sati tradition was not “compulsory”, but merely introduced to “prevent the prostitution of the Hindu wives at the hands of Mughal invaders!”
So now we are made to believe that Sati was a great “progressive practice”, it is the “glory” of Hindus; rather the “Jewel in the Crown” in the lives of Hindu widows, which that chamcha of the British dared to defame and by “conspiring” with the British had ensured it’s ban! No prize for guessing where these “brilliant” thoughts have emanated from. They are from the great, proud, nationalist Hindu ideology. Yes, from that force which has developed the expertise of distorting and rewriting Indian history with elan; Rana Pratap defeating Akbar in Haldighati being one of such “priceless” gem!
That the father of Bengal Renaissance – Raja Rammohan Roy should be termed a much-hated chamcha of the British is an insult to Bengal and its people!
Bollywood starlet Payal Rohatgi is the author of all the above statements. She asserted that Sati was the “woman’s choice.” That Mughal invaders or Muslims are “rapists” out to “dishonour” Hindu women; that the British were necessarily “destructive” determined to edge out the “great traditions” of “Bharat” with Raja Rammohan Roy being a “co-conspirator” robbing the “divine rights” of the Hindu widows to voluntarily sacrifice their lives upon the pyre of their deceased husbands!
Now this ideology harbouring such a medieval, dark, rabid, regressive, horrible misogynistic mindset is working all-out to politically conquer the enlightened progressive region of Bengal bearing the humanitarian legacy of Raja Rammohan Roy! What a tragedy that these very people are working overtime to take control of Bengal and to decide the future of its women!
No wonder why Unnao-Hathras-Budaun form the signature state of affairs of Uttar Pradesh with scenes of BJP leaders marching on Jammu streets with tri-colour in hand to defend the accused of spine-chilling Kathua gangrape-murder case and anti-Romeo squads being promised by Yogi Adityanath to “save the women of Bengal”! One only hopes the women of Bengal would rise to the occasion and vote sanely by resisting the “unique” “Bengal-only” utopia of “free education and travel in public transport”! This sudden love and respect for women and great figures of Bengal, is just to win elections at all costs. That’s the BJP’s agenda – promises and more promises.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata