Why I have changed my mind often about Mamata Banerjee

Mahasweta Devi

When I supported Mamata Banerjee’s Poribortan campaign in 2011 along with several others, I didn’t expect any magic to happen. I thought her government will be radical, listen to the people and of course be law-abiding and all that. I never expected that a change in government would mean welfare or something positive for the underprivileged. That will take time to come. When we started supporting her, we thought she would be a positive type of person; someone whom we would not regret supporting. That being said, she hasn’t delivered on the changes she promised during her Poribortan campaign.

I have always been a very independent person. Sometimes too independent. So I have gone through some ups or downs with Mamata Banerjee. Earlier she used to call me her mentor—I didn’t expect someone in power to come and want to understand me. But we no longer share that relationship. When a civil society rally organised by the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights was stalled by the TMC government, or when I was chairperson of the Bangla Academy and my decision on the prestigious Vidyasagar awardees was vetoed by Mamata Banerjee, I only criticised her and her cabinet or judged them for certain points that I didn’t approve of.

I agree that Mamata Banerjee’s undemocratic practices must change. She has absolutely no tolerance for criticism from civil society. Some of those things must change because this is a democratic country. But each time I have taken back my criticism it is because I want to give her as much of a chance as I can so that she becomes more radical. I have repeatedly stood up again in support for her and restored my faith in her abilities as a chief minister because I think human beings are full of failures and they have to be given a chance. We have to repeatedly try try try. It will not happen magically. After all, it has only been three years since she came to power. Perhaps she will change.

This election, I want a prime minister who will give strong and pointed attention to education. Education holds the primary position in my list of priorities that the new government should focus on. In Bengal, it is true that we don’t give much value to education. I want to give more pressure and attention to education. To have education the way I see it is difficult. I know what I’m going to say will not be easy, but it has to be done: we need absolute full literacy. Without this, there is no saving West Bengal. Without full literacy a state cannot advance. For example, through my charitable organisation, in a village in Birbhum district we are focusing only on education by getting people enrolled in schools and educational centres. They are progressing well. They are happy. Literacy and education for women must be given much attention. Women can make a big difference to politics if they want to. Educated women, even married women with their own families, can do a lot when they really start thinking for the state. There is no end to the duties women can do for the government.

I don’t know if I support Mamata Banerjee this election. There is a word in Hindi, “grihasti,” which refers to a domestic type of person. Like my mother. She didn’t go to college or school. Whatever she learnt was from family. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee is a house-loving woman. I think she’s alright for running a house, not for a government—not to say that is a negligible skill.

By: Mahasweta Devi
(As told to Shriya Mohan)

Mahasweta Devi is an eminent social activist and writer.
Courtesy: The Caravan

RHFI Puts Two Godmen Behind Bars in Bangalore

Two of Bangalore’s local godmen whose sexual habits were exposed, are in the soup.

A day after a video showing self-proclaimed godman Devishri Guruji in a compromising position was leaked to media, his driver registered a complaint against him for criminal intimidation. Sleaze videos allegedly featuring Devishri Guruji alias Ramaswamy alias Ramu, with a few of his devotees, were telecast on local TV channels.

Ramaswamy Devishri arrested based on a complaint by Debashis of RHFI

The godman ran his ashram in a ground floor flat of an apartment complex in HSR Layout, East Bangalore.

He is alleged to have told his women devotees that their problems would vanish if they had sexual relations with him, which has landed him in trouble.

The godman was absconding after Debashis Rationalist , general secretary of Rationalists’ and Humanists’ Forum of India filed a police complaint against him.

On first week of April, Debashis disguised as a mentally challenged and Mrs Thiruvani as his mother, met Devashri Guruji. Mrs Thiruvani requested Devishri to cure her son. Devishri though claims to accurately predicts everyone’s future, failed to foresee that Debashis is not Thiruvani’s son, he is not mentally challenged either, They are from Rationalists’ and Humanists’ Forum of India and have exposed several spiritual frauds before.

Ramaswamy Devishri said that he can cure Debashis. A Yajna needs to be done and cost would be around 2 lakhs.

Devishri could not predict his own future either that within a month he will be behind bars.

Debashis filed a complaint against the godman under Objectionable Advertisements: Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.

Based on another complaint by his driver Vasant, HSR Layout police booked another case against Devishri Guruji. Vasant said the godman had threatened him for releasing the video.

Activists of Rationalists’ and Humanists’ forum of India protested outside his ashram and demanded action against him.

Ramaswami Devishri Guruji, who absconded, was picked up by police along the Tamil Nadu border on Tuesday.

A special team of HSR Layout police tracked him down near Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu.

He is also being questioned about his alleged involvement in some cheating and theft cases.

A tale of exploitation

In another case, Yeshwantpur police arrested self-styled godman Ramanand Swamiji of Achalashram, who is accused of exploiting women under the pretext of religious rituals. The arrest was based on complaints lodged by Debashis Rationalist , general secretary of Rationalists’ and Humanists’ Forum of India and Srinivas Naidu.

Srinivas Naidu alleged that the godman sexually exploited his wife, resulting in an abortion, months after they approached him to perform puja.

According to police, Ramanand Swamy was a former employee of BSNL who later turned into a self-proclaimed spiritual leader.

A few years ago, he came in contact with Narayanswamy, who asked him to help resolve an issue for his daughter Tulasi and son-in-law Srinivas Naidu.

Ramanand Swamy assured them he would solve their problem with his spiritual powers. However, during this process, Tulasi gradually became close to the godman, and after a couple of suspicious meetings, Srinivas Naidu asked Tulasi to stop meeting him.

He also lodged a complaint against the godman at the Yeshwanthpur police station for misbehaving with his wife. On hearing this, his father-in-law called him on Friday. Naidu reached the spot and saw Ramanand Swamy and a person called Govindaraj with his father-in-law. They began arguing and the men allegedly assaulted Naidu.

Naidu contacted Rationalists’ and Humanists’ Forum of India.

Debashis helped Naidu to file a complaint against Ramanand Swamy at the Yeshwanthpur police station

Based on his complaint, Ramanand Swamy and Narayanswamy were arrested.

Debashis also filed a complaint against the godman under Objectionable Advertisements: Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.

Courtesy: News One