Bengali singer Lagnajita Chakraborty has said she is “not afraid” and will continue performing the song ‘Jago Ma’ even after being heckled and allegedly harassed during a live cultural programme in West Bengal. The incident, which occurred during an evening performance, has triggered widespread reactions from the cultural fraternity and political circles, raising fresh questions over artistic freedom and public conduct at cultural events in the state.
Speaking to media, Chakraborty recounted that the programme began around 7 pm and progressed smoothly for several hours. She was performing songs from her repertoire, including ‘Jago Ma’ from the recently released Bengali film Devi Choudhurani, a song that gained popularity during the last Durga Puja season.
According to the singer, the disruption occurred immediately after she finished performing ‘Jago Ma’. “The programme was going on normally. There was no disturbance at all until I sang this particular song,” she said.
Chakraborty alleged that soon after the song concluded, a man rushed towards the stage, jumped onto it, and confronted her aggressively. “After finishing the song, I suddenly saw a man run towards the stage and come very close to me. He jumped onto the stage and attempted to physically assault me,” she told media.
She said the situation escalated rapidly, prompting people present at the venue to intervene. “The audience and organisers immediately stepped in and removed him from the stage,” she said, adding that the man continued shouting while being taken away.
The singer identified the accused as Mehboob Mallik, alleging that he demanded she sing a “secular” song instead. “While being taken away, he shouted that there had been enough of ‘Jago Ma’ and asked me to sing a secular song. He also addressed me disrespectfully, using ‘tu’,” Chakraborty said, underlining that the remarks were made loudly and were clearly audible to those present at the programme.
Following the confrontation, Chakraborty said she was unable to continue with the performance due to shock and safety concerns. “I had to stop the programme immediately. I then informed the police about what had happened,” she said.
The singer later lodged a formal complaint with the police, naming Mallik as the accused. She alleged that he abused her verbally and nearly assaulted her on stage during the live performance. Chakraborty further claimed that Mallik is one of the owners and a member of the governing body of the school where the cultural programme was held.
Police officials confirmed that a man has been arrested in connection with the incident and that an investigation is currently underway. “We have registered a case based on the complaint filed by the singer. Statements of witnesses present at the venue are being recorded,” a police official said, adding that appropriate legal action would follow based on the findings of the probe.
Asked whether the incident reflected a broader shift in Bengal’s social or cultural climate, Chakraborty said she did not want to draw sweeping conclusions. “Whether Bengal is changing or not is not for me to decide,” she said. “But standing up for myself is my strength. Nobody has the right to do this to me.”
Emphasising her right to artistic expression, the singer said intimidation would not dictate what she performs on stage. “I am an artist doing my job. If someone doesn’t like my performance, they can say so from below the stage. I will not allow intimidation,” she said firmly.
Chakraborty also rejected the notion that the incident would deter her from performing in rural or semi-urban areas. “I am not afraid,” she said. “I will perform again in Arambagh later this week, and I will sing this song again. ‘Jago Ma’ is my song, why should I not sing it?”
She added that she expects adequate security arrangements to be made for future performances. “I believe the authorities will ensure proper security so that artists can perform without fear,” she said.
On whether such incidents are becoming more frequent, Chakraborty stressed the importance of prompt administrative action. “If the administration takes these matters seriously, such incidents can be sorted out,” she said, adding that accountability was crucial to prevent similar episodes in the future.
The singer also made it clear that she did not wish to frame the incident in religious terms. “I don’t know what he believed in, and I don’t want to label this incident religiously,” she said. “But I will not allow anyone to flex their muscles in front of me or try to intimidate me.”
She noted that several members of Bengal’s cultural fraternity have reached out to her since the incident, expressing solidarity and support. “That support has given me strength,” Chakraborty said.
The episode has meanwhile sparked political reactions. BJP spokesperson Pradip Bhandari accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of suppressing Hindu religious expression in the state. In a post on X, Bhandari alleged that Chakraborty was heckled for singing a Durga song and claimed it was deemed “not secular enough” by a TMC leader. He also accused the party of hurting the religious sentiments of Bengalis.
The Trinamool Congress has not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of publishing this report.
Chakraborty reiterated that the remarks made during the programme were loud and unambiguous, forcing her to stop the show and approach the police. “I had no option but to take legal action. Silence would have meant accepting intimidation,” she said.
