Intellectuals distance themselves from 'petty politics'

Kolkata: In 2007, intellectuals like Mrinal Sen, Rituparno Ghosh and Aparna Sen had protested against the Left Front government's perceived role in the Nandigram violence. It became a turning point for Mamata Banerjee's political career. But as Nandigram goes to polls on Thursday, does Mamata still have the allegiance of those who helped her come to power?
Director Aparna Sen said this time she did not vote for any party since she did not have anyone to vote for."My politics has always been issue-based. Though the early years of Left Front rule were good, the latter part was terrible. The police and the bureaucracy were under their control. They had developed rigging into a fine art, and had even come down heavily on the arts. The last straw was the Nandigram slaughter," she said.
According to her, almost everyone took to the streets to protest the killings. "But most of us were not pro-Trinamool or pro-Congress or pro any party at the time. In fact, we had requested all politicians to stay away from our rallies," she said. Of course, change was desired. "But that didn't mean that we wanted Mamata Banerjee in power. I, for one, was sceptical. She had not governed earlier and hence, I wasn't sure about how she would function once in power. But she was the only vote-getter among opposition leaders. However, the change we desired was not what came. When we were part of the Nandigram movement, many of us said that if the new government didn't deliver, it too would have to go," she said.
Artist Sanatan Dinda said, "The Trinamool propaganda song says ' jongolmahal haschhe'. But only netas are smiling, not the people."
Actor Dhritiman Chaterji said, "We worry about the brutal and cynical challenge to the democratic system that the elections are showing up. But the narrative is the same everywhere. The blatant bribing of voters in Tamil Nadu, the rape of the environment and majority appeasement in Goa... the political class is united in its contempt for and exploitation of the citizen."
The choice of parties isn't "exactly exhilarating", Sen added. "But I'm guessing that Trinamool's votes will diminish. When I see what is happening today, I find the situation is almost identical to what we had protested against during the end of the Left Front regime. It is the same thing if not worse," she said.
Shuvaprasanna added, "Now I'm not in the forefront since I'm not a political voice. But I haven't distanced myself from Mamata. I've no role in this election. It is a party versus party fight."
Poet Subodh Sarkar, who had walked in a pro-Left rally during Nandigram, is "ashamed" for having done so. According to him, "I regret not having walked in the Nandigram protest march."