Amitabh Bachchan’s Comment On Civil Liberties At Film Fest Sparks Verbal Duel Between Political Parties

Kolkata: Amitabh Bachchan’s comments on civil liberties and freedom of expression in the inaugural address of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF),  have sparked a political row and ensued a war of words between Bengal’s ruling party Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Reacting first, BJP’s Amit Malviya tweeted:  “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…”

“Duh”, said Trinamool’s Mahua Moitra, reacting to Malviya’s comment.

In a Twitter post, Moitra said: “Wish BJP would hire a Troll In Chief with IQ >single digits. Bachhan ji is Bengal’s “jamai” – he knows the soil of his 2nd home is the land of the free & home of the brave. He chose KIFF’s platform to denounce BJP’s boycotts & bans in the arts. Duh….”

Malviya also attacked Mamata Banerjee, saying she always belittles successful Bengalis. In another post, he wrote: “Mamata Banerjee didn’t invite superstar Mithun Chakraborty, son of Bengal, for the Kolkata Film Festival. She had similarly appointed Shahrukh as brand ambassador of Bengal and not Saurav, one of the finest cricketers Bengal has seen.”