CPM leader's remark on Mamata leads to human rights probe

The West Bengal Human Rights Commission on Friday took cognisance of obscene comments made by the Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA Anisur Rahman against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and directed the Director General of Police to file a report within three weeks.

"We have taken cognisance and issued notice with regard to the comments made by Anisur Rahman at Itahar," WBHRC chairman Justice (retd) Ashok Ganguly told PTI in Kolkata.

"We have asked the DGP to inquire and submit a report within three weeks. He has been directed to collect CDs and other relevant material," Justice Ganguly said.

On Wednesday, Rehman said at a public meeting in north Bengal, "I would like to ask Mamata what her rate will be if someone gets Rs. 20,000 after being raped."

Rahman, who was a minister in the previous Left Front government, had made the remarks during a political rally at Itahar in North Dinajpur district on Wednesday.

While Rahman, who is the deputy leader of the CPI-M in the assembly, apologised for his comments at a hurriedly called press conference at the CPI-M state headquarter, party state secretary Biman Bose said his party did not approve of such comments.

A political storm had erupted when his remarks about the chief minister was aired on TV channels.

The Trinamool Congress threatened to a file defamation notice against Rahman for the comments and filed a privilege notice against him.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday strongly condemned the objectionable remarks made Rahman and asked the CPI-M leaders to explain their colleague's unacceptable conduct.

"The CPI-M leader's remarks against Mamata is insensitive and absolutely unacceptable," BJP national spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad told reporters here.

Describing Rahman's utterances as 'unpardonable,' he said, "The CPI-M top guns like Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechuri should come forward and explain the party's stand on the remarks made by their colleague against Mamata and crack the whip against him," the senior BJP leader said.