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National

Congress protests offensive festoons around Gandhiji statue

Raktima Bose

Party seeks explanation from Buddhadeb
“Festoons remained for more than five hours”

Kolkata: Enraged at an organisation displaying derogatory festoons around a statue of Mahatma Gandhi here and alleged police inaction, the Congress on Wednesday demanded the resignation of the Police Commissioner as well as an explanation from the Chief Minister.

A little-known organisation had on Tuesday hung the festoons in which Gandhiji was quoted as “regretting” having asked the British to quit India and also “pleading” with the British to come back as Indians were willing to be their slaves again.

“The festoons remained around the statue for more than five hours in spite of the presence of several mobile police squads in the city. Only after a local television channel started flashing the news and after I contacted Commissioner of Police Goutam Mohan Chakrabarti did the police remove the festoons,” Pradesh Congress president Manas Bhunia told a press conference.

“We demand the immediate resignation of Mr. Chakrabarti for his police machinery's delay in taking prompt action, an explanation from Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee as to how does one dare put up such seditious material under his rule and also instant action against those who had put up the festoons.”

He said he had informed Governor M.K. Narayanan of the incident and requested his intervention. A PCC delegation met Chief Secretary Ardhendu Sen on Wednesday “but we are yet to hear of any progress in taking action against the culprits.” Leaders of the PCC will observe a six-hour fast on Thursday.

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