A man has been arrested for allegedly harassing and attempting to assault West Bengal singer Lagnajita Chakraborty after objecting to her choice of song during a live performance at a school in Bhagwanpur, East Midnapore district on December 21 (Saturday).
Senior police officer Mitun Dey confirmed the arrest of the accused Mehboob Mallik and said that he was the main organiser of the event and the owner of the private school where the show was held.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that Mehboob Mallik is also a member of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
The singer alleged that Mallik abused her and tried to physically assault her while she was performing a Bengali religious song, ‘Jago Maa’.
The singer, who rose to prominence with the track ‘Basanto Eshe Geche’, said the incident occurred during her live performance. “
“He wanted to beat me up,” she said in her complaint to the police.
She further alleged that Mallik shouted at her, saying, “Onek Jago Maa hoyeche, ebar kichu secular gaa (enough of Jago Maa, now sing some secular song).”
The singer also claimed that the officer-in-charge of Bhagwanpur police station initially refused to register her complaint. A case was filed later, following which Mallik was arrested.
“A departmental inquiry has been initiated against Bhagawanpur police station’s officer-in-charge and another officer. We will take action against them for their negligence,” Mitun Dey said.
Masud Mallik, the brother of the accused, denied the allegations and termed them “baseless.” He claimed the dispute arose after Chakraborty demanded additional payment due to a delay in her performance.
“She was singing a religious song from her upcoming film. So, she was requested to sing a secular song, as it was a school function. She stopped her performance and went to the police station,” he said.
He further added, “She has lodged the complaint against us, as we refused to give her extra money for her performance.”
Chakraborty rejected the claim and reiterated, “I have faith in the police and want them to take this up seriously.”
“West Bengal is in the hand of Jihadis. They are directing the singer as to which song she should sing. It was an anti-Hindu approach,” BJP leader Shankudeb Panda said.
“When she (Lagnajita Chakraborty) had gone to the police station, (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee’s police refused to lodge a police complaint,” he alleged.
There was no immediate reaction on the incident from the Trinamool Congress.
