Kolkata, Jan 25 (IANS) Noted Bengali poet Sankha Ghosh, who was named for a Padma Bhushan, Tuesday said authorities should introspect over why sympathies were being showered on jailed rights activist Binayak Sen in a veiled criticism of West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan’s opposition to the support extended to him.
‘The governor has expressed his concern over collective support and sympathies putting in from different quarters demanding Binayak Sen’s release. It is true that support is coming. But those who are governing the government should know and ponder over why so many people are sympathising for Sen,’ said Ghosh.
Ghosh was speaking alongside Sen’s mother Anusua Sen in a convention organised by Nagarik Samannay Committee here.
Narayanan, the former national security adviser, had Jan 21 said: ‘Maoism appears to be gaining an upper hand in the minds of the people. After Dr Binayak Sen’s conviction, the civil society has been very much on the attack, demanding his release.’
Two days back Narayanan had said that intellectuals should not extend support to Maoist ideology and actions.
Sen, 59, was sentenced to life imprisonment Dec 24, 2010, by a Chhattisgarh court on charges of sedition and for his links with the Maoists. The conviction triggered angry reactions from within and outside the country.
