THE CULTURAL glitterati of Bengal have split down the middle over the CPI (M)’s blatant muscle flexing in Nandigram. Ranged on either side are actors such as Aparna Sen and Soumitra Chatterjee, paired in several films like Baxo Badal and Basanta Bilap, which have entertained millions of Bengalis. The stars of yesteryears, who started their careers with Satyajit Ray’s film, are leading processions –one yesterday, denouncing Marxist violence in a turf war, and the other today, marching for peace.

 

Even as an uneasy calm enveloped Nandigram, thousands gathered today in the heart of the city in what was clearly a counter procession to the one brought out by intellectuals, artistes, actors and painters yesterday to condemn the manner in which the CPI (M) wrested control of Nandigram and Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee justifying the action saying “the opposition have been paid in their own coin.” The organizers of yesterday’s procession ensured that there were no political personalities with them. The group had earlier boycotted the 13^th Kolkata Film Festival.

 

The counter procession was of course a mixed bag with intellectuals, artistes, actors and a sprinkling of politicians owing allegiance to CPI (M). Seen in the procession which wended its way through continuous drizzle, were director Mrinal Sen, actors Sova Sen, Soumitra Chatterjee, Mithun Chakravarty, Chinmoy Roy, theatre personality Usha Ganguly, magician P C Sorcar, former footballers P K Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Santo Mitra and the city mayor Bikash Bhattacharjee, a CPI(M) honcho, who said he had come as a lawyer. There was a sea of umbrellas. Transport minister Subhas Chakravarty known for his penchant for putting his foot into his mouth, was also present.

 

He had said yesterday that had he been the Kolkata Police Commissioner he would have thrown the intellectuals who tried to protest outside Nandan, the venue of the film festival, into the sea in Kakdweep. Transport was arranged to bring in crowds to today’s procession. There were no political party flags, no banners and posters but marchers sang revolutionary songs just as yesterday’s marchers did.

 

Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today alleged that at least 200 people had been killed in Nandigram. Tomorrow her workers will gherao the SDO’s office in East Midnapore. Trinamul leaders will then head for Nandigram.

 

The Calcutta High Court Bar Association has called for a boycott of the Chief Justice’s bench from Friday. The association is upset that a case filed on Nandigram four months ago was yet to be dispensed with.

 

Meanwhile, the RSP state committee, which had met today to decide whether the party should continue in the Left Front cabinet, was unable to take a decision. They will meet two other Left Front constituents the Forward Bloc and the CPI. PWD minister Kshiti Goswami who wanted to resign will not go to Writers Buildings for two weeks while he thinks of reconsidering his decision.

 

Meanwhile, a six-member National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team was expected to visit Nandigram area today to go into the situation and come up with recommendations. The NHRC had earlier issued a notice to the West Bengal government directing it to submit a factual report on the conditions prevailing in Nandigram within 10 days.

 

The Commission had asked the Union ministry of Home Affairs to take necessary steps to restore peace in Nandigram and submit an action taken report in two weeks.

Social activist by Medha Patkar, who was attacked by CPI (M) cadres when she tried to enter Nandigram, approached the Commission.