'Ban' Newspapers: Is Mamata a fascist? CPI(M) slaps Didi

Kolkata, Mar 29: Finally, the main opposition party in West Bengal - CPI(M) spoke about the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her decision to 'ban' many English, Bengali and other newspapers in the state. Criticising her decision, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Thursday, Mar 29 claimed that "seeds of fascism" were being sown in West Bengal.

Taking questions from media persons over the decision of the Trinamool Congress supremo, Mr Yechury claimed, "She (Mamata) wants that only what she says should get in to print and not anything else. This shows that seeds of fascism have been sown in the state. But her statements will not change history and neither will the realities change."

However, Mamata, after realizing the grave impact of her decision, quickly took a U-turn on the decision and said that the order was being altered only to include more newspapers.

Her decision to 'ban' English newspapers in libraries was met with sharp criticism from all quarters, including Trinamool ally Congress, Left parties and the community as a whole. They called the decision "undemocratic, undesirable and worse than censorship."

The CM and her party issued a notice on Tuesday, saying that the state and statewide libraries can purchase only eight newspapers whose names have been enlisted in the circular.

Names of leading English Newspapers such as Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Telegraph, Statesman have not featured in that list published by Trinamool Congress (TMC). Most of the Bengalis will be shocked with the news that the CM did not even mention the name of the most famous Bengali newspaper - Ananda Bazar Patrika in the circular.

The circular says, "It is felt that the newspapers/dailies, as named in the table, will, besides promoting language, particularly among the rural masses, significantly contribute to the development and spread of free thinking among the members." The circular named few of Hindi and Urdu newspapers beside some Bengali dailies.

The circular also said that the state government will not spend extra fund for purchasing any newspaper or daily published or purported to be published by any political party in any public library in the state.

OneIndia News