Durga Puja carnival: Swastika Mukherjee attacked for praising Bengal’s chief minister

After a lull of two years due to the pandemic, the gorgeous Durga Puja Carnival was back in full glory. With colourful tableaux, dancers across the state, music, and bike stunts bade adieu to 95 Durga idols in an elaborate procession at Red Road in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Bandyopadhyay on Saturday. Along with the state officials, a host of Tollywood celebrities, diplomats, and 20,000 spectators enjoyed the gorgeous carnival. 

Actress Swastika Mukherjee, along with other celebrities, appeared for the first time in this carnival. At night, she shared some photos and praised her ‘indomitable spirit’. She wrote, “Met our honourable CM after many years at the #carnival today, a magnificent event hosted by her and what absolutely amazing work by Kolkata Police. Have always admired DIDI’s indomitable spirit and fiery personality. Wished her Shubho Bijoya and got chocolates. Thank you Raj Chakraborty for the clicks, they are cute. It was fun being there with #Dakhshinpara Durgotsav Committee.”

However, Swastika’s post attracted criticism on social media. She is criticised for being a sycophant of the chief minister like other Tollywood actors and actresses. Swastika is known for her upright and uncompromising attitude. Earlier, she took part in protests, including Hok Kolorob in 2013, and took stands criticising the government. Hence, her presence at the carnival came as a revelation for many. Someone said, “I thought that you had the guts, to tell the truth, and protest, unlike others. But I was wrong. You too are spineless.” Some other person commented, “You too, Brutus?” The actress did not respond yet to the flack. 

Swastika has been working steadily on national and Tollywood projects. She has appeared in Criminal Justice 3 and her film Shrimati was released recently. She is set to pair with Mir in the film Bijayar Pare, directed by Abhijit Das. She has also completed working in Shibpur with Parambrata Chatterjee.