BJP-TMC slugfest over Amitabh Bachchan's remark at KIFF on freedom of expression

Amitabh Bachchan: A war of words over Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s remarks broke out between BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya and TMC leader Saket Gokhale. Both interpreted Big B’s comment in their own way to suit their parties.

It started with Amitabh Bachchan's comments at the Kolkata International Film Festival on freedom of expression followed by a song by Arijit Sing 'Rang de tu mohe gerua (colour me saffron)'. Many linked the two issues with the ongoing controversy over the saffron bikini worn by Deepika Padukone in 'Pathaan'.

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‘Couldn't have been more prophetic’

"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," said BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya. Actor and TMC MP Nusrat Jahan was quick to respond.

Saket Gokhale quickly hit back. The TMC leader tweeted that Amitabh Bachchan’s words were about the current situation in the country under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. Gokhale said Amitabh Bachchan could express himself freely in Bengal in Banerjee’s presence and not in Delhi or Mumbai.

Big B spoke about freedom of expression in the presence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. “The 1952 cinematograph act set out the stricter censorship as it stands today upheld by the film certification board, but even now, ladies and gentlemen, and I am sure my colleagues on stage will agree, questions are being raised on civil liberties and freedom of expression,” Amitabh said.

‘BJP capping freedoms’

TMC leader Nusrat Jehan tweeted, "Signs of tyrannical rule include banning movies, detaining journalists, and punishing common people for speaking the truth." She alleged that BJP was "capping" freedoms "while Malviya is busy accusing others".

On Friday, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta tweeted an old video of Union minister Smriti Irani wearing a saffron attire, apparently during the Femina Miss India contest. BJP's Locket Chatterjee hit back, tweeting, "Shame on Mamata for appointing such a misogynist man as TMC's national spokesperson."

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