A controversy has broken out after young girls danced in skimpy clothes at a Trinamul Congress foundation day function at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district with a Trinamul leader allegedly throwing wads of currency notes at them.
The police stopped the function after midnight last night. Organised at a stone's throw from the Bhangar police station, the function saw Trinamul leader and 24-Parganas Zilla Parishad member Mir Tahir Ali climb onto the stage and allegedly throw wads of currency notes at the direction of the dancing girls.
The Trinamul Congress termed it as an "isolated" incident and said strict action will be taken against any party worker involved.
Trinamul MP Derek O' Brien said, “Thousands of events marked Trinamul's 16th birthday yesterday and one of these events from these 300 events was an abhorrent incident involving ladies dancing, it was an isolated incident, the strictest action will be taken against any party worker involved".
"Please do not portray this as something endorsed by Trinamul. For Trinamul, cultural sensibilities and gender sensibilities are absolutely paramount. Please be reassured it is not endorsed by anyone from Trinamul Congress... We will find out who were the people indulging in the crass display of gender insensitivity," he said.
The incident, which went viral on TV channels, was condemned by various sections of society, including political parties and the women's commission. They expressed their displeasure at the 'vulgar' political culture.
National Commission for Women chairperson Mamta Sharma said, "It is shameful that they are celebrating this way. We need a change of mindset among all political parties".
Eminent educationist Sunanda Sanyal said, "The future of young boys and girls will get destroyed if this political culture remains prevalent in West Bengal".