When Devotion meets Hostility: Abuse of Lagnajita Chakraborty raises alarms

Lagnajita Chakraborty was allegedly abused and physically harassed while she was singing at a cultural event at Bhagwanpur in East Midnapore for singing a religious song. This incident has sparked an outcry across the nation as it raises questions regarding her right to self-expression.

Renowned Bengali singer Lagnajita Chakraborty was reportedly subjected to verbal abuse and physical harrasment while performing at a cultural programme in Bhagwanpur, East Midnapore, after singing a devotional song, sparking widespread shock and debate about artistic freedom and safely at public events. This particular incident occurred on Saturday night at a private school function, where Chakraborty, known for her popular Bengali songs “Basanto ese geche”, decided to perform her devotional song “Jago Maa”.

According to her police complaint, a member of her audience, named Mehboob Mallik, got irritated with her devotional performance. He allegedly climbed on to the stage, used abusive language, and attempted to physically assault her, demanding she sing secular song instead. Witnesses say that Mallik repeatedly shouted in Bengali- ‘Onek jago maa hoyeche, ebar kichu secular gaa’ (Enough of Jago Maa, now sing something secular).

His conduct reportedly forced to stop her remaining performance and leave the stage amid the unrest. Chakraborty has described the episode as among the most distressing experiences of her more than decade-long stage career, calling it “horrifying” and emphasizing her right to artistic expression. “When I began the ‘Joy Maa’ song, the owner, Mehboob Mallik, verbally abused me”. She also added, “It wasn’t just verbal; I was subjected to physical harassment as well as during the commotion”. “He wanted to beat me up,” she said in a complaint to the police.

Speaking about action, East Midnapore’s Acting Superitendent of Police, Mithun Kumar De, confirmed that an FIR has been registered.”The accused is in custody. We are committed to ensuring he is brought to justice”. He also added, “A departmental inquiry has been initiated against Bhagwanpur police station’s officer-in-charge and another police officer. We will take action against them for their negligence,” De also added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that Mallik is a member of the ruling Trinamool Congress. “West Bengal is in the hand of Jihadis. They are directing the singer as to which song she should sing. It was an anti-Hindu approach,” BJP’s Shankudeb Panda said. He alleged, “When she(Lagnajita Chakraborty) had gone to the police station, (Chief Minister) Mamata Bannerjee’s police refused to lodge a police complaint”. There was no immediate reaction from Trinamool Congress.

Equally disturbing is the gendered nature of the alleged harrassment. Women performers often face a double burden-judged not only for their art but also targeted because of their gender. Verbal abuse, threats, and physical intimidation are tactics frequently used to asert control and silence women in public arenas. For well-known singer to repotedly face such treatment, one must ask what lesser-known artists or ordinary women endure when the cameras are not rolling. Law enforcement and authorities have a responsibility to ensure that public events remain safe spaces where differing expressions can coexist without fear.