Kolkata: Many prominent Muslim citizens in Kolkata has raised their voice against the minority appeasement tactic of West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. In an open letter they have said that Muslim offenders must not be spared just because these come from the minority community.
The letter comes after Muslim men attacked doctors in NRS hospital which led to a one week stand-off between the doctors and Mamata Banerjee. The entire medical scenario in the state collapsed during the protests. In addition to it, the citizens were also worried about an attack on actor and model and former Miss India Universe, Ushoshie Sengupta, on Monday night. The attackers on the actor/model was also said to be from the Muslim community.
In the letter they have said, ” We are Muslims living in Kolkata for decades. We have been deeply concerned with two events that occurred recently – the attack on doctors and the attack on actor Ushoshie Sengupta. The attackers in both cases instances were members of our community – Muslims. We are grieved and embarrassed.”
They have also asked the Chief Minister to nab the assailants and bring them to justice and should never let them go scot free. The citizens say that if the government acts against those erring individuals from the minority community it will go a long way in changing the perception among the people that the TMC government is shielding and appeasing the Muslim community.
The signatories of the letters also have some suggestions to curb the criminal tendencies from those in their community. They asked the government to initiate programs to educate and encourage Muslim youths and families in Kolkata in gender sensitization, civic consciousness and law compliance.
The letter was signed by eminent Muslim citizens of Kolkata such as Mudar Patherya, Hena Nafis, Mustafa Judge, Dr. Zahid H Gangjee, Dr. Aquil Basrai, Mamoon Akhtar¸ Shabnam Alam.
Ushoshie Sengupta was attacked by seven people after she got into an altercation with the cab driver. Joint Commissioner of Kolkata said, ” Seven persons – Sheikh Rahit, Fardin Khan, Sk Sabir Ali, Sk Gani, Sk Imran Ali, Sk Wasin and Atif Khan have been arrested on Tuesday for allegedly harassing the complainant, assaulting an Uber driver and vandalising the cab. A detailed inquiry is going on into the case.”
