January 13, 2025 03:22 am (IST)
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Tapas Paul apologises for rape remark in letter to party, media, people
Kolkata, July 1 (IBNS): Trinamool Congress on Tuesday said its MP Tapas Paul, who threatened in a village the opposition women with rape, has tendered an apology in a letter to the party and media and everyone else.
Following is the text of the letter:
To,
All of you
Some remarks made by me in the heat and dust of the election campaign have caused dismay and consternation. I apologise unreservedly for them. Whatever the provocation -- and there was an attempt at provocation -- those comments should never have been made.
In making them, I have let down my constituents and the people of Bengal, I have let down my party, the Trinamool Congress, and my political colleagues, I have let down my family, including my wife and children and my parents, and my friends. I apologise to all of them, and particularly to all women in our society and to those in the media who highlighted the issue.
I have no excuses to offer. It was a gross error of judgement and deeply insensitive. It should not have happened. And I assure you it will not happen again. Once more, a humble apology.
Yours sincerely,
Tapas Paul
Member of Parliament
cc: Chairperson, All Indian Trinamool Congress
cc: General Secretary, All Indian Trinamool Congress
cc: National Spokesperson, All Indian Trinamool Congress
cc: Media
Meanwhile, the Trinamool did not spell out if they are taking any strong action against Paul, who is also a Tollywood actor, for his remarks made in a village in May that was captured on video and later went viral on TV channels since Monday.
While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said only senior leader and party spokesperson Mukul Roy would speak on the matter, the latter did not spell out what they would do.
He said Paul has given a written explanation and they will follow a due process on the matter.
He said people will also give their verdict on it in the next election.
He, however, defended the chief minister saying she is deeply pained and a decision on Paul will be taken on Wednesday. He said the party has taken a stand and Mamata Banerjee has acted fast.
While a nationwide outcry has followed demanding punishment of Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Paul who in a public meeting in a village in West Bengal has been caught on camera threatening women of the opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) with rape by his boys, the Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the state on the action taken.
He also threatened to kill people himself with a firearm.
The National Commission for Women has also voiced its anger and demanded criminal action against Tapas Paul. NCW chief Mamta Sharma said Paul should be arrested and sacked from her party by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Paul's wife Nandini has apologized for his remarks and said it was unbecoming of a parliamentarian but tempered her apology saying that Paul had acted under provocation.
"On behalf of him I am saying sorry," said Nandini, adding that there was another part of the story too.
From political opposition to Paul's colleagues from the world of film, his remarks triggered a furor even as Trinamool Congress has demanded a written explanation from him.
CPI-M leader and former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharjee said the state should lodge case against him and get him arrested.
"What he said is the voice of Trinamool Congress," he said.
CPI-M leader Malini Bhattacharya said they would approach National Commission for Women and the speaker of Lok Sabha for action and inquiry.
A privilege motion in Parliament is being mooted by CPI-M.
Filmmaker Aparna Sen, who shared screen space with Paul in the past, said she was stunned.
"I am astronished. Tapas I knew is not this. He was courteous and well behaved. I am stunned. I am sad. Will people change like this if they come to politics?" said Aparna Sen speaking to a TV channel.
Bengali litterateur Suchitra Bhattacharjee said she is scared after the comment.
"I condemn it. I cannot accept it," said Bhattacharjee.
Litterateur Nabanita Dev Sen said he was shocked and saddened as she watched Tapal Paul on TV.
"I am sad. My heart broke. This is a representative from our state? I expected at least some sense from those whom we send to Parliament. What is this?" asked Dev Sen.
Former supercop and social activist Kiran Bedi tweeted: "Wither we as a society? An MP of the ruling party openly threatens rape and violence! Woman party chief also a CM silent! Police looks on!"
West Bengal Congress leader and lawyer Arunava Ghosh said he should be arrested and police can arrest him even without any formal complaint.
Meanwhile, amid controversy, Tapas Paul said he did not use the word "rape" but "raid".
"I never used the word rape. I said raid," Paul told news channels though his defence was feeble with the audio clearly establishing what he actually said.
He said he was ready to face any probe in connection with the matter.
Paul made the fiery speech in a village called Chowmaha in West Bengal's Nadia. He said he would unleash his boys to rape the opposition members (read CPI-M) and eliminate them.
"I will not spare anyone. We will eliminate the entire families [opposition] if our people are attacked," said Paul, according to a video footage on TV channels being aired on Monday.
"I will unleash my boys and they will rape them," he said as some of his supporters lustily cheered.
"I am very angry. I warn the Opposition," he said, threatening to kill the rivals and wipe out their entire dynasties.
"I show them my shoes," said Paul, as he took off his shoes and showed them and then added that he would act not as an MP but as a Trinamool Congress worker.
Paul said he carries a firearm and will not hesitate to use it.
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien a day ago tweeted disapproving the remarks of Paul.
"Sensitive use of language is an obligation for role models in culture, politics and society. If that code is breached, public trust is lost. Whatever provocation or perceived provocation, people in public life have to be extra-careful in what they say. Can't shoot your mouth off," said Derek O'Brien.
"Statements made by Mr Tapas Pal are very insensitive. We do not in any way endorse what he said weeks ago, being played on TV today," he said.
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