Popular actress Sreelekha Mitra Takes Legal Step After Facing Social Harassment Over Mamata Government Critique
Kolkata, September 3 — Renowned Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra has taken a bold step to protect herself from social harassment. On Wednesday, she filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, seeking safety after she faced threats and online abuse for speaking out against the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government.
Sreelekha Mitra had voiced her concerns about the unresolved rape-murder case of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital. She publicly questioned why justice was delayed, especially on the first anniversary of the tragic incident last month, which she marked by taking part in a protest rally. During the rally, she again demanded answers from authorities about the lack of justice for the victim and her family.
The Calcutta High Court has accepted her petition, and it will be heard next week. In her plea, the actress complained that since her protests, she has faced social threats, including banners and posters with slogans against her outside her home in Behala, Kolkata. She also shared that she felt socially boycotted and harassed online with threatening messages on social media platforms.
Despite reporting these threats to the local Haridevpur Police Station via email, Mitra says no action has been taken so far. Dissatisfied with the police response, she decided to approach the high court for protection and justice.
This isn’t the first time voices demanding justice for the R.G. Kar tragedy have faced backlash. Several doctors working at the state-run hospitals and medical colleges became targets of administrative actions or transfers simply for raising their voices. Many medical professionals feel unfairly treated and silenced after speaking out about the brutal rape and murder of the doctor.
This development highlights the challenges faced by those who criticize the government or seek justice in sensitive cases. Sreelekha Mitra’s move to seek legal safety shines a light on the importance of protecting free speech and standing up against social harassment.
Stay tuned for updates on her case and the ongoing fight for justice in West Bengal.
