Talk show panelists are involved in pornography: Mamata

Under attack from opposition and a section of intellectuals over the recent incident of rape and murder of a college student, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today alleged that panelists of some local tv news channels critical of her were involved in pornography.

"Two or three incidents (of rape) have taken place. But every evening this people have salacious discussion disrespecting our mothers and sisters day after day. Some channels which are bankrupt are insulting the people of Bengal," she alleged, referring to talk-shows on a section of local tv channels.

"They are not doing the right thing. What children did not know, they are getting to know about. Who are being called (to the panel discussion)? Many of them are involved in pornography. They claim to be social workers but are actually working for money. Talk shows are nothing but money shows," she said.

She promised to file charge sheet against the accused in the Barasat incident within one month seeking death penalty.

Accusing a section of the media of blowing up rape cases, she said, "One or two TV channels under the influence of CPI(M) are projecting them in such a way as if the people are not able to walk on the streets freely."

"One or two cases had indeed taken place and we do not support them, but that does not mean that everything has turned bad in this state," she said addressing a panchayat election meeting here.

She claimed that "CPI(M) knows that they will be defeated in the panchayat election and that is why they are constantly making false accusation against us with the help of some tv channels."

Referring to the NCRB figures showing West Bengal having the highest number of crimes against women, Banerjee said, "It has been prepared without informing the state."

Unlike in the previous Left Front regime, now FIRs were registered against the crimes against women, she said. "Crimes against women were the regular feature during the Left Front regime. FIRs were not allowed to be filed at that time."

"At Keshpur in West Midnapur district there was series of crimes against women but police diary (complaints) were not allowed to be lodged during the Left Front rule," she said.

During her speech, Banerjee also turned her ire against the Centre for seeking huge interest on loans taken by the previous Left Front government.

"I wish people from Bengal to go to Delhi and gherao the Prime Minister demanding to know from him why should the West Bengal government pay interest for huge loans taken by the previous Left Front government," she said.