Nandigram: RSP tries to form intellectual forum, poet says no

“They are all basically Leftists, but the CPI(M) has antagonised them on the Nandigram issue. This has served a body blow to the Left movement. Our aim is to salvage some of the damage. We told Shankha that he should take an initiative to form a new forum of Left intellectuals because the situation demands it,” Goswami told The Indian Express.

The poet, however, said he had listened to the minister, but refused to take any initiative for a new front. “I am basically a poet and an apolitical man. I am unable to start all these forums,” Ghosh said.

Meanwhile, veteran economist Amlan Dutta and nine other social activists launched a 48-hour fast here to protest against the breakdown of law and order in Nandigram. “This is a period of turmoil. An undemocratic situation now prevails in our country and we have to protest. We did that in the past, during the Gujarat riots. I am over 80, but I know I have to protest,” Dutta said.

Criticising the CPI(M) for imposing its opinion through violence, Dutta said, “the ruling party’s theory of capture will lead to adverse consequences. If this continues, the country will end up being fragmented. Each ruler will try to expand his territory and in the process a civil war will break out.”

Dutta also warned against a “cultural degradation” which will set in if democratic values were compromised. “Democracy allows the freedom to hold different opinions and views within the confines of the law. But the CPI(M) refuses to entertain any view which is not in line with theirs, which is undemocratic,” said Dutta.

But the octagenarian said it was a comforting thought to see that so many intellectuals, artists, academicians and the general public organise a giant rally to protest against the Nandigram incident. “It has been long since we last saw such a rally. The political parties always believed that it was only they who could organise people to hold such rallies. But they were proved wrong. It was hearteneing to see that it was a spontaneous and an apolitical effort which included even Left intellectuals,” said Dutta.