IPA Newspack
  • Home
  • now
  • politics
  • business
  • markets

IPA /

IPA Special

IPA Special

Mismanagement By Organizers Of KK’s Function In Kolkata Needs Probe

By Ashis Biswas

Whether as commoners or experts, people engaged in making political predictions are usually in a high-risk, error-prone business: Yet judging by initial public reactions after the unfortunate death of highly popular singer Krishnakumar Kunnath or KK in Kolkata on May 31 it seems safe to conclude that West Bengal as a state may find it hard to live down the toxic notoriety billing it has begun to receive.

Since the youth wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress(TMC) was responsible for the planning/ sponsoring of two public concerts scheduled for May 31 and June 1in south Kolkata, there is no way for top TMC honchos to disclaim discredit for the tragedy that has shocked the country.

It is par for the course to see the State Government being excoriated ruthlessly by an overwhelming majority of social media netizens. The most damning indictment came from Mrs Om Puri. Not mincing words, she stated that Kolkata had killed him, detailing the utter mismanagement and irresponsibility on part of the political sponsors who apparently gave no relief to an obviously ailing singer visibly struggling to perform, repeatedly signalling his discomfort.

For once, the condemnation was not restricted to outraged non -Bengalis living in or out of West Bengal. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakravarty spoke for the sad, silent majority of homegrown Kolkata citizens , admitting ’Our faces stand blackened . Where can we hide our shame ? Will any other outstation artist ever perform in this city again? The TMC must answer.’

Nor was he alone. Eminent medical practitioner Dr Kunal Sarkar echoed him, wondering what had prevented the organizers from helping the 50-something singer obviously in great physical distress and immediately shifting him to the nearest hospital?

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh called for an immediate probe into the matter to affix responsibility and ensure some accountability/punishment for those responsible for KK’s death.

From Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Minister and Mayor Firhad Hakim to the earthy Madan Mitra, the official attempt to camouflage the shocking incompetence of the organizers, the police , civic department officials and thousands of raucous supporters seemed indefensible. Mitra found it surprising that no one out of a crowd of several thousands had suffered physically in the humid heat and only KK was affected! His implication was , the man must have had a record of past ailments which he did not declare — an odd point to make . In the same breath he also claimed to have known the singer for ages!

Hakim supported the passive role of the police as they silently watched and let excited bunches of teenagers pour into the hot steamy Nazrul Manch auditorium, forcing open closed gates. As the concert got under way in an air conditioned hall of around 2500 capacity no fewer than 6500/7000 people were packed like sardines.

How could the police stop such ardent young music lovers?’ Hakim asked blandly. TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh explaining the mayhem and rampage, asked if anyone really counted 7000 people inside the hall?

For the record, the young TMC organizers from Gurudas College had raised nearly Rs 30 lakh for the programmes, which students on roll could attend for free. Actually, big bunches of tickets costing up to Rs 2000 were sold without apparent reference to the capacity of the hall. Party insiders later admitted that mismanagement occurred as several groups got involved with the organisation of the gala event.

The outcome: hundreds of angry people who had paid for their tickets clamoured at the gates, some throwing stones as only two out of the seven entry points were kept officially open. The police fell back against the strong shower of stones and allowed the yelling crowds entry through all the gates.

The bedlam worsened as some organizers, to stop over energetic youths from dancing on the chairs and wrecking furniture — the hall is run by the state government, of course! — suddenly sprayed the worked up sweaty mob inside with liquid fire extinguisher , adding to the pre-monsoon steamy heat ….This an organizer later explained to mediapersons, was done to ensure better ‘order”……

Instead of going on with the shocking account of a botched -up pop concert, by no means the first of its kind in the city of joy, perhaps it makes more sense to refer to the sad postscript to the tragedy. Some sensible suggestions were made by some netizens, urging upon the state government to conduct a serious inquiry as to the causes of the mishap. So many issues of mismanagement are there to be probed about the Nazrul Manch function on May 31.

For the unapologetic TMC leaders and followers, the symbolic gesture of a hastily arranged gun salute has covered all official lapses . No one has been censured so far neither from the youth organisation nor from the state administration. For the pro-establishment, business continues as before, with the state Chief Minister shown on TV discussing in detail the critical problem of obesity and overeating at an administrative meeting. (IPA Service)

Happening Now

Muslim body chief condemns Udaipur killing as un-Islamic

June 29, 2022
Happening Now

Owaisi condemns killing, but with a rider

June 29, 2022
Politics

Uddav plays emotional card in bid to win over rebels

June 29, 2022
Politics

Four BJP panels to work out preparations for 2024

June 29, 2022
IPA Special

Uddhav’s Soft Hindutva Is Being Challenged By Shiv Sena Hardliners

June 28, 2022
IPA Special

100% Electric Two-Wheeler Penetration In India Possible By 2031

June 28, 2022
IPA Special

AltNews Co-Founder’s Arrest By Delhi Police Is A Violation Of All Laws

June 28, 2022
IPA Special

United States Supreme Court Is Using Its Unchecked Power Against People

June 28, 2022
IPA Special

Supreme Court’s Judgment In Gujarat Riots Case Bodes Ill For Democracy

June 28, 2022
IPA Special

Tripura Bypoll Results Showed The Faultlines Of Trinamool Congress

June 28, 2022
IPA Special

Congress In Kerala Loses The Perception Battle

June 28, 2022
Happening Now

Governor may ask for trust vote in Maharashtra tussle

June 28, 2022
Politics

Uddhav was ready to quit, but allies prevailed over him

June 28, 2022
Politics

Simranjit Mann’s win revives broom vs. sword debate

June 28, 2022
Happening Now

Rahul Gandhi blasts Alt News co-founder Zubair’s arrest

June 28, 2022
Happening Now

Fuel shortage forces Lanka to allow only essential services

June 28, 2022
Politics

Victory of Bal Thackeray’s Hindutva, claims Shinde

June 27, 2022
Happening Now

Key Uddhav aide Raut summoned by ED for ‘money laundering’

June 27, 2022
IPA Special

There Is Little To Justify India’s Coal Shortage

June 27, 2022
IPA Special

Central Trade Unions Get Ready To Fight New Rules For Workers

June 27, 2022

An appeal

The legacy of IPA, founded by Nikhil Chakravartty, the doyen of journalism in India, to keep the flag of independent media flying high, is facing the threat of extinction due to the effect of the Covid pandemic. Only an emergency funding can avert such an eventuality. We appeal to all those who believe in the freedom of expression to contribute to this noble cause.
Click here to learn more

Share

Reply

  • 0
More on IPA

Uddhav’s Soft Hindutva Is Being Challenged By Shiv Sena Hardliners

June 28, 2022 2:50 pm | IPA Staff

By Kalyani Shankar Is the ongoing Maharashtra political crisis an ideological battle within the Shiv Sena or the inability of  Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray...

IPA Special

100% Electric Two-Wheeler Penetration In India Possible By 2031

June 28, 2022 2:47 pm | IPA Staff

By Dr. Gyan Pathak With demand incentives withdrawn after FY 2024, maximum penetration of electric two-wheelers in India could be 71.54 per cent in Technology...

IPA Special

AltNews Co-Founder’s Arrest By Delhi Police Is A Violation Of All Laws

June 28, 2022 2:20 pm | IPA Staff

By Sushil Kutty At last the Delhi Police has gone and done the unpardonable. The capital’s constabulary, which answers to the Union Home Ministry, summoned...

IPA Special

United States Supreme Court Is Using Its Unchecked Power Against People

June 28, 2022 2:17 pm | IPA Staff

By Ben Beckett On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion and making abortion illegal in at least...

IPA Special

Uddhav’s Soft Hindutva Is Being Challenged By Shiv Sena Hardliners

in IPA Special
Jun 28, 2022   ·  

100% Electric Two-Wheeler Penetration In India Possible By 2031

in IPA Special
Jun 28, 2022   ·  

AltNews Co-Founder’s Arrest By Delhi Police Is A Violation Of All Laws

in IPA Special
Jun 28, 2022   ·  

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Follow us on
Up Next: Neo-Liberal Economic Agenda Can Never Tackle Inflationary Pressures
©2020 -2021 India Press Agency, All Rights Reserved
Newspack by India Press Agency
Posting....
logo
  • Home
  • now
  • politics
  • business
  • markets