Whether as commoners or experts, people engaged in making political predictions are usually in a high-risk, error-prone business. Yet, judging by initial public reactions after the unfortunate death of highly popular singer Krishnakumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK in Kolkata on May 31, it seems safe to conclude that West Bengal as a state may find it hard to live down the toxic notoriety billing it has begun to receive. Since the youth wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was responsible for the planning of two public concerts scheduled for May 31 and June 1 in south Kolkata, there is no way for top TMC honchos to discredit the tragedy that has shocked the country. The most damning indictment came from Mrs Om Puri. Not mincing words, she stated that Kolkata had killed him, detailing the utter mismanagement and irresponsibility on part of the political sponsors who apparently gave no relief to an obviously ailing singer visibly struggling to perform, repeatedly signalling his discomfort.
For once, the condemnation was not restricted to outraged non-Bengalis living in or out of West Bengal. CPI (M) leader Sujan Chakravarty spoke for the sad, silent majority of homegrown Kolkata citizens, admitting – “Our faces stand blackened! Where can we hide our shame? Will any other outstation artist ever perform in this city again?” Joining him was eminent medical practitioner Dr Kunal Sarkar who wondered what had prevented the organisers from helping the 50-something singer obviously in great physical distress and immediately shifting him to the nearest hospital? BJP went a step ahead, and its leader Dilip Ghosh called for an immediate probe into the matter to affix responsibility and ensure some accountability for those responsible for KK’s death. From chief minister Mamata Banerjee to minister and mayor Firhad Hakim to the earthy Madan Mitra, the official attempt to camouflage the shocking incompetence of the organisers, the police, civic department officials, and thousands of raucous supporters seemed indefensible. Mitra found it surprising that no one out of a crowd of thousands had suffered physically in the humid heat and only KK was affected! His implication was that the man must have had a record of past ailments which he did not declare – an odd point to make. In the same breath, he also claimed to have known the singer for ages!
For the record, the young TMC organisers from Gurudas College had raised nearly Rs 30 lakh for the programs, which students on a roll could attend for free. Actually, big bunches of tickets costing up to Rs 2000 were sold without apparent reference to the capacity of the hall. Party insiders later admitted that mismanagement occurred as several groups got involved with the organisation of the gala event. The outcome: Hundreds of angry people who had paid for their tickets clamoured at the gates, some throwing stones as only two out of the seven entry points were kept officially open. The police fell back against the strong shower of stones and allowed the yelling crowds entry through all the gates. For the unapologetic TMC leaders and followers, the symbolic gesture of a hastily arranged gun salute has covered all official lapses. No one has been censured so far, neither from the youth organisation nor from the state administration. For the pro-establishment, business continues as before!
