BJP condemns Mamata’s ‘virus awareness song’ played on Tagore’s birth anniversary

An order by the police in West Bengal, asking its personnel to play a "Covid-19 awareness song" penned by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Rabindranath Tagore's 159th birth anniversary yesterday, has sparked a row in the state.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dubbed the incident as an "outright insult" to the Nobel laureate, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Trinamool Congress dismissed the charge and accused BJP of trying to indulge in "cheap politics" over the matter.

West Bengal's Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Gyanwant Singh, in his directive, asked all officers to organise a programme titled ''Kabi Pronam'' in districts and commissionerates on the occasion of Tagore's birth anniversary.

"A small tableau be brought out with a cut-out of Tagore. A collection of selected Tagore songs are enclosed herewith along with the awareness song, written by Honourable CM Mamata Banerjee on Coronavirus. This should be played at important residential areas and housing complexes of cities and towns between 9 am and 11:30 am," the order issued on May 6 said.

The first two lines from Mamata's song "Bheer thekey sabai dooray thako….." was played at public places and functions organised by Trinamool Congress to mark Tagore's birthday across West Bengal yesterday, reported a section of the Indian media.

Reacting to the government order, the West Bengal unit of the BJP asked what have Tagore's life and cultural legacy got to do with Mamata's song on Covid-19 awareness.

"Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is the greatest icon whose teachings and wisdom guide the world. But what do Mamata Banerjee awareness songs have to do with celebrating Gurudev's life and legacy? It is not just an affront to Gurdev but also makes light of the fight against Corona!" our correspondent reports BJP leader Mukul Roy, a former trusted lieutenant of Mamata, as saying.

"Instead of commemorating Gurudev, WB govt is imposing CM on people! This is outright insulting!" said Locket Chattejree, head of the women wing of the BJP in West Bengal.

The Trinamool Congress, however, refuted the charges and accused BJP of indulging in "cheap and dirty" politics on the occasion of bard's birth anniversary.

"The chief minister had tried to use the occasion to spread awareness about COVID-19. But the BJP is using it to play dirty politics. We condemn such an attempt by the saffron camp," a senior Trinamool Congress leader said.

Covid-19 cast a huge shadow on Tagore's birth anniversary celebrations yesterday across West Bengal with only token functions at all places with scanty attendance.

Mamata herself inaugurated the subdued main function in Kolkata without the usual pomp. Mamata's ministerial colleague and noted singer Indranil Sen sung Tagore's song "Dariyey Achho Tumi" and the West Bengal CM joined.