Actress and Former MP Mimi Chakraborty Files Police Complaint Over Stage Incident
NEW DELHI: Actress and former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty has formally lodged a police complaint alleging harassment during a live stage performance at a cultural programme in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. The complaint was submitted on Monday following an incident that reportedly occurred late Sunday night.
Details of the Alleged Harassment
According to the complaint filed with Bongaon police station via email, the incident took place during an event organized in the Nayagram area of Bongaon town. Chakraborty named organizer Tanmay Shastri in her complaint, accusing him of forcibly interrupting her performance around midnight.
The actress claimed that Shastri climbed onto the stage mid-performance, stopped the programme abruptly, and asked her to leave without any prior communication. She described the episode as leaving her feeling "deeply humiliated" and damaging to her public image.
Social Media Outcry and Broader Concerns
Chakraborty took to social media platform X to share her account of the incident, linking it to broader concerns about the dignity and safety of women and artists. In her post, she highlighted the timing of the incident on Republic Day, writing that while the country speaks of freedom and equality, "the independence and dignity of women and artists are still too easily violated."
Explaining the sequence of events, she stated she had been invited by the Naya Gopal Gunj Yubak Sango Club to perform at the event. She claimed derogatory remarks were made on the microphone during the interruption, which she said humiliated her in full view of the audience.
"I left quietly to maintain decorum," Chakraborty wrote, adding that she has now approached legal authorities and believes in due process. She emphasized, "If I keep quiet today, this behaviour will be repeated tomorrow. Dignity on stage is non-negotiable."
Organizers' Response and Counter-Allegations
However, the organizers have strongly denied all allegations. Shastri claimed the programme was stopped due to time restrictions, stating that police permission for the event was valid only until midnight. He alleged that Chakraborty arrived nearly an hour late for her performance.
"Mimi Chakraborty was neither insulted nor harassed, and the allegations made by her are completely baseless," Shastri said. He further claimed that the decision to halt the programme was taken keeping in mind upcoming board examinations of students in the area.
Shastri made counter-allegations, stating that the actress's security personnel misbehaved with him and that her bodyguards forcibly removed women members of the club who had come on stage to felicitate her. He added that the organizers had no intention to disrespect the actor and expressed regret if she felt insulted due to any miscommunication.
Police Action and Investigation Status
Police officials confirmed that Chakraborty's complaint has been taken on record and that further investigation into the matter is currently underway. The case has drawn significant attention due to Chakraborty's public profile as both a popular actress and former parliamentarian.
The incident has sparked discussions about artist safety and professional conduct during cultural events across West Bengal. As the investigation progresses, both parties await formal resolution through legal channels while maintaining their respective positions on what transpired during that late-night cultural programme.
