TMC, BJP Trade Barbs Over Amitabh Bachchan's Remark On 'Civil Liberties' At KIFF Inauguration

TMC and BJP traded barbs over Amitabh Bachchach's references to the issues of "civil liberties" and "freedom of expression" at the inauguration event of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF)

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan speaks during inauguration of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival, in Kolkata, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: A fresh round of arguments ensued between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders as both used megastar Amitabh Bachchan's remarks about questions being raised on "civil liberties" and "freedom of expression" to attack each other.

Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday made unexpected remarks about questions being raised on "civil liberties" and "freedom of expression" at the inauguration event of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). "Even now, I am sure my colleagues on stage would agree that questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression," he said.

While the BJP described it as a "clandestine admission of the misrule and trampling of democratic rights in West Bengal", the TMC claimed that his words were "about the current situation in our country under Modi & Shah."

BJP's IT cell chief and the special observer for the party in West Bengal, Amit Malviya wrote: "Amitabh Bachchan's words couldn't have been more prophetic since they were spoken in Kolkata, with Mamata Banerjee on the dais. It is like holding a mirror to the tyrant, under whose watch India witnessed the bloodiest post poll violence. She has tarnished the image of Bengal..."

BJP's national general secretary, B.L. Santhosh also tweeted, "He hit the nail on the head of @MamataOfficial on his side. Thank you @SrBachchan for standing for victims of political violence in West Bengal."

He hit the nail on the head with @MamataOfficial on his side . Thank you @SrBachchan for standing for victims of political violence in West Bengal . https://t.co/Z0SqfHozjY

— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) December 15, 2022

In response to the BJP's claims, TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale hit back saying that the comment was made against the situation in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government.

"Mr. Bachchan’s words were about the current situation in our country under Modi & Shah. He could express them freely in Bengal in presence of the tigress @MamataOfficial & not in Delhi or Mumbai. But well - a fake news coolie like you doesn’t have the IQ to comprehend that," he wrote.

Mr. Bachchan’s words were about the current situation in our country under Modi & Shah.

He could express them freely in Bengal in presence of the tigress @MamataOfficial & not in Delhi or Mumbai.

But well - a fake news coolie like you doesn’t have the IQ to comprehend that 🤷🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/sxmiSvg8h1

— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) December 16, 2022

The BJP and TMC also traded barbs over a video of popular singer Arijit Singh briefly singing 'Gerua' from Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'Dilwale'.

The level of stupid exhibited by this man should be classified as a crime against humanity. https://t.co/Dx22kKv0Ee

— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) December 16, 2022

The star-studded viewers at the KIFF's inaugural event on Thursday evening witnessed a rare instance of Amitabh Bachchach's references to the issues of "civil liberties" and "freedom of expression". The actor is otherwise known for not commenting on political issues in public forums.

Prior to his speech on Thursday evening, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan too made a loaded statement referring to how social media was often driven by a narrowness of views that enclose collective narrative and makes it more divisive and destructive.

(With Agency Inputs)