August 19, 2017: Silencing voice of opposition may yield success now, but the success will not last long. Inclusive development should not be a word only rather it needs to be practiced in reality. Never mind, opposition is also a part of society and silencing or forcing them and other vulnerable section of the society to act in a particular will not help to achieve developmental growth. A retired Professor of Economics stated this referring to recent controversy over alleged censorship of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s recorded Independence speech.
Interestingly, censorship issue drew much attention in evening addas. In front of IGM Hospital, a group of Government employees, who were critical of CPIM-led State Government for not paying as per central pay commission, expressed disgust at the censorship and worrying about expanding ambit of censorship. “Incidences of moral policing, censorship imposed by certain section and other forms of restrictions on public life are visible and increasing. If it remains unabated there will huge division in society affecting daily life of middle class people”, said one Sushanta Modak.
CPIM vehemently came out against alleged censorship of CM’s I-Day speech and Police began investigation as well as suggested concerned authority to enhance CM’s security.
Even though CPIM is reportedly not considering to move Court over the censorship issue, hundreds of CPIM supporters yesterday assembled before Agartala centers of DDK and AIR to protest against ‘censorship’. Addressing the gathering CPIM central committee member Gautam Das said, the decision of Prasar Bharati is a direct insult to the self-respect of the people of Tripura and he criticized the Central Government for regulating functioning of Prasar Bharati. He also alleged Union Government is trying to intervene and influence functioning of Prasar Bharati – an autonomous body and asked, Is it sign of healthy democracy? He also drew comparison with emergency period.
Spewing venom against BJP and its wings – RSS and VHP – Pabitra Kar said they did not have any contribution during Independence struggle. He alleged, “They had a history of betrayal in freedom movement”.
Reacting to CPIM’s criticism, State unit of BJP issued statement mentioning the contents of the speech. The ‘controversial’ speech was full of political overtones and against spirit of a programme like I-Day, Party sources alleged.
