Tapas Pal case: One FIR lodged, more to follow..... 'Rape threat': Trinamool Congress gets Tapas Pal to apologize, but clamour for MP’s arrest grows

Trinamool MP Tapal Pal with wife Nandini

Ashis Poddar,TNN | Jul 2, 2014, NADIA: The CPM Nadia district committee may be mulling the option of lodging an FIR against Tapas Pal for his inflammatory comments made at a public rally on June 14, a woman - believed to be a BJP supporter - has already lodged a complaint with Nakashipara police station, demanding security for women in Nadia following the MP's threat that he would send boys to rape women.

A day after the explosive video footage of Pal's hate speech hit television screens and triggered widespread condemnation, Nadia CPM committee secretary Sumit De said, "We have decided to lodge an FIR against MP Tapas Pal on Wednesday. We have already submitted memorandum to Nadia SP and DM quoting media reports on Pal's statements and demanded legal action from the administration."

CPM staged a protest rally and burned Pal's effigy in Krishnagore on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they plan to submit a memorandum to the administration," said De.

SUCI Nadia secretary Mrinal Dutta also demanded Pal's arrest and his removal from the MP post. "A man who makes such statements should not be barred from Parliament," said Dutta.

While the CPM and SUCI demanded action, Jaya Sarkar, who is believed to be a BJP supporter from Bethuadahari Ghoshpara, lodged a complaint with the police on Tuesday stating that women in Nadia were afraid to step out after Pal's statement and demanded police security, a police source said.

Satyabrata Mukherjee, the former central minister who fought against Tapas Pal as the BJP candidate at the Lok Sabha election from Krishnagore, expressed shock at Pal's speech. "How could anybody, leave alone an MP who is a public figure, make such comments? It is deplorable. Legal action must be taken against him," he said.

 'Rape threat':  Tapas Pal apologize

TNN, KOLKATA: The national humiliation of Trinamool Congress — and Mamata Banerjee, Bengal's first woman CM — due to Tapas Pal's rape-speech forced the party leadership to extract an 'unconditional apology' from the actor-MP but it did little to stem the tide of outrage or the possibility of legal action.

Trinamool national secretary Mukul Roy showcased the "apology letter" in a hurriedly called press meet at Trinamool Bhavan on Tuesday afternoon. "I have let down my constituency, my family, my party and the people of Bengal. I apologize to all of them, and particularly all women in our society and to those in the media who highlighted the issue," goes Pal's letter, addressed to the Trinamool chief. Mamata is said to be livid but chose not to name Pal in her censure. "I do not believe in violence and obscenity. I condemn all such incidents. It is a big blunder," she said in Raidghi on Tuesday.

Condemnation from even friends and family swamped the actor-MP, who made his name as the 'good boy' of Tollywood. Filmmaker Aparna Sen wondered how he could make such a speech. "I can't recognize the Tapas Pal I knew," Sen said. Actor Biplab Chatterjee, who played villain in several Tapas Pal-starrers, said this was the result of the 'Poribartan' that has come about in the state. "He is a product of this change and the new order. I find his comments filthy and in bad taste. I feel ashamed to say that he has been my professional colleague," Chatterjee said.

Congress staged a walkout in the assembly and later lodged an FIR at Shyampukur police station. Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra wanted the state government to file an FIR against Pal. In Delhi, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said the party will bring a privilege motion against Pal in Parliament even as state BJP president Rahul Sinha sent a video recording of Pal's hate speech to the Lok Sabha Speaker. A Calcutta high court lawyer filed a PIL urging court to intervene.

Pal's apology letter came a day before Mamata meets Trinamool MPs to decide the party's strategy in Parliament. Party national secretary Mukul Roy said he doesn't know if Pal has been invited.

According to party sources, Mamata is furious that Pal shamed a woman-ruled state before the country. The actor, handpicked by her has also smeared Didi's image at the national level. Also, it has put Trinamool on the back foot when she was fine-tuning a strategy to make her party's presence felt in Parliament. Trinamool sources say Mamata isn't going to spare Pal because she cannot afford to lose her urban support base before the civic polls. Pal is mere baggage now. "Our party chief is shocked and pained," Mukul Roy said.

There is a growing clamour in civil society for Pal's arrest. Rights bodies and political parties are not satisfied with his apology or Mamata's describing the speech as a "blunder".

Bharati Mutsuddi, former member of the state women's commission, said: "Tapas Pal is a representative of the people. If a politician openly threatens women with rape, who will take control of law and order? He was instigating and inciting the gathering to commit the offence. He should be arrested immediately."

The APDR has moved the National Human Rights Commission to order Pal's arrest, terming his speech 'criminal intimidation'.

"At a time when crimes against women are on the rise in Bengal, such provocative speeches to rape women can only worsen the problem," said rights activist Saswati Ghsoh. Educationist Miratun Nahar was scathing: "By making such an irresponsible speech, Tapas Pal has sent a damaging message to the Bengali youth. It is shameful that these political leaders are instigating violence against each other."

West Bengal Women's Commission, which could have taken suo-motu cognizance, chose to throw the ball in the government's court. Commission chairperson Sunanada Mukherjee condemned the speech but said it was for the Trinamool chief to take action. "I am shocked by the way he has threatened to set boys to rape women. I have spoken to the chief minister, stressing stringent action against Tapas Pal. I am confident that action will be taken," said Mukherjee

Nadia DM PB Salim said he would submit a report to the home department.