Trinamool minister backtracks on 'boycott Marxists' remark

Kolkata, April 17 (IANS) Under severe criticism for asking Trinamool supporters to 'socially boycott' CPI-M, state Food Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick Tuesday backtracked and alleged that his statement has been tampered with.

"My statement has been tampered. I have never asked party workers to socially boycott CPI-M. And that day I was wearing a trouser and a shirt, but the video footage showed that I had worn a kurta and pyjama. The footage has been doctored and tampered," Mullick told IANS.

The television footage of Mullick addressing a meeting shows him asking Trinamool supporters to socially boycott CPI-M and "learn to hate them" in order to exact revenge for "misdeeds".

"You should boycott CPI-M socially, don't mix with them. If a CPI-M supporter invites you to a marriage party or a programme don't go there. If you don't boycott them socially you won't be able to avenge the misdeeds and the injustice they have perpetuated when they were in power," Mullick had said while addressing a programme.

"Don't eat with them, don't sit with them. You all should learn to hate them. Until and unless you learn to hate them you won't be able to take revenge," Mullick added.

A section of intellectuals vehemently opposed Mullick's statement and stated that it would only promote violence in the state.

"Such statements are totally unacceptable. Political beliefs should not prove as a hurdle in social mixing. Otherwise it will trigger civil war," said Tilottama Majumdar, a writer.

"Such comments will only instigate violence in the state at the grass roots level," said Kaushik Sen, a theatre personality.