In a sensational incident a female employee of Raj Bhawan on Thursday had complained of sexual harassment against Governor CV Ananda Bose.
In reply to the incident, to the Raj Bhavan staff who expressed solidarity with Governor Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose against whom some derogatory narratives were circulated by two disgruntled employees as agents of political parties, the Governor said “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God Bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal.”
The female employee is reportedly working in Raj Bhawan since 2019.
According to a Bengali news channel, the woman had faced a similar situation before and on Thursday he was called by the Governor to discuss her promotion when the incident happened.
Following this the woman went to the police outpost and then was taken to Hare Street police station to lodge a complaint against the Governor.
Notably, according to Article 361, no criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the President and Governor as they have ‘Constitutional Immunity’.
Former Meghalaya Governor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tathagata Roy also said that the woman who went to complain against the Governor ‘didn’t’ know about the article.
Politicking over the incident
Soon after the news came, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) slammed the Governor for the alleged incident.
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said, “Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose accused of molesting a woman. How utterly APPALLING and HORRIFYING. Ahead of @narendramodi visit to Kolkata who is supposed to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan, a woman has alleged that she was molested while she went to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan today. The complainant has been taken to the Hare Street police station for filing a complaint. The woman has accused the Governor of molesting her. Shocking and disgraceful.”
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that whether it is a ‘conspiracy’ or ‘truth’ has to be ascertained. "If it is a political conspiracy then people will give a befitting answer to it...,"said Adhikari.
Governor had banned entry of TMC Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya at Raj Bhawan premises of Kolkata, Darjeeling and Barrackpore.
The Governor has also instructed his office that he will not participate in any function attended by the Minister.
The Attorney General for India has been contacted for advice on further legal steps against the Minister.
Governor also banned entry of police into Raj Bhavan premises in the guise of conducting unauthorized, illegitimate, sham and motivated ‘investigation’ to placate political bosses during elections.
Earlier on Thursday, TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya had said that the ‘peace room’ in Raj Bhawan is not safe for women.
“When Prime Minister speaks of Nari Shakti, the Governor is lowering the dignity of women. In the land of Bengal such a thing is happening. The day when Prime Minister is due to stay at night at Raj Bhawan a woman employee of the Raj Bhawan has gone to complain against Governor for sexual harassment,” Chandrima was heard saying.
Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to stay at Raj Bhawan on Thursday night before holding three public meetings on Friday in the state.
