Controversy has emerged over the CPI(M)'s decision to invite renowned Bangladeshi singer and Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury Bannya to perform at a cultural event organized by the Jyoti Basu Centre for Social Studies and Research in New Town this month.  

The event coincides with the CPI(M)'s central committee meeting, scheduled from January 17 to 19, and attended by politburo coordinator Prakash Karat.  

BJP leader and former MP Dilip Ghosh criticized the decision, calling it unacceptable amid ongoing anti-India slogans in Bangladesh.

"My question is whether the Indian Communists did not find any able artists in the country. Such an initiative was not required," Ghosh said.

However, the CPI(M) leader leadership has its own logic behind inviting Bannya, who was conferred the Padma Shri Award in April last year. "There is an attempt to create a religious divide in the country over the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh, whose relations with India have been cordial traditionally. Our intention is to maintain that spirit of unity through cultural exchange" said a central committee member of CPI(M).

Last month similar controversies surfaced as a group of citizens raised objections to the scheduled participation of Bannya at an annual cultural event organised by a municipality in West Bengal.

The Madhyamgram Municipality in North 24 Parganas district last month listed Bannya as one of the performing singers at its annual event of "Paribesh Mela" where the main attraction is the cultural event on the occasion. Popular singers and band groups from both India and Bangladesh participate in the event every year.

However, at that point in time a civil society group in the Madhyamgram Municipality area under the name of "Madhyamgram Nagarikbrinda" raised objections to the participation of Bannya in the event.

The group then even issued an appeal through social media requesting the authorities of Madhyamgram Municipality not to include the popular Bangladeshi singer in this year's cultural event.

"This is an appeal to Madhyamgram Municipality as Indian citizens regarding the scheduled musical participation of Rezwana Choudhury Bannya in the event on the occasion of Paribesh Mela on December 28. Rather we request not only allow the participation by any Bangladeshi in the said event. The country comes first. Please give it a thought," the appeal read.

Source: NDTV