Mumbai : For the first time, the Trinamool Congress hosted a meet-and-greet event for the West Bengal Chief Minister in Mumbai, where she is on a two-day visit. Actress Swara Bhasker at the event, spoke for about four minutes. Swara Bhaskar, during her interaction with Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday said that the government is indiscriminately using sedition law and UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) provisions and artists are finding it difficult to “tell stories”.
“There is a state which is distributing UAPA and sedition charges like a ‘prasad’ from God we don’t want to pray to,” said Swara Bhaskar, who is vocal about social and political issues on social media.
The actor alleged that the right-wing groups have targeted comedians like Munawar Faruqui, Aditi Mittal, Agrima Joshua. Faruqui spent a month in jail (for allegedly hurting religious sentiments), she pointed out. While introducing Munnawar Faruqui she said, “They have risked their careers, their livelihood to keep resistance alive”, in a part of her argument.
Mamta Bannerjee ma’am on UAPA, today in Mumbai.. part 3/n pic.twitter.com/iByqs8EsRz
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) December 1, 2021
Bhaskar stated that there was also an instance of a venue being vandalised for hosting some comedians.
Common citizens are facing an “unaccountable mob” which is being used by the ruling dispensation while the police and the state are giving it a free rein, the actor alleged.
Mamata Banerjee said that the UAPA has been grossly misused.
“The UAPA is not (meant) for common citizens but for protection against external forces and (maintenance of) internal security,” she further said.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
