Bengali singer Lagnajita Chakraborty alleges abuse, assault bid on stage, police arrest accused

In a written complaint to the police, Chakraborty said the accused, Mehboob Mallik, used abusive language and attempted to physically attack her while she was performing at a programme held at a private school in Bhagwanpur.

She claimed that Mallik is a member of the school’s governing body.

The singer, who rose to fame with the popular Bengali track Basanto Eshe Geche, said she was singing the devotional song ‘Jago Maa’ when the accused allegedly climbed onto the stage.

“He got up on the stage and tried to physically assault me. He wanted to beat me up,” Chakraborty said.

According to her complaint, the accused shouted at her, saying, “Onek Jago Maa hoyeche, ebar kichu secular gaa” (Enough of Jago Maa, now sing some secular song).

The singer also alleged that the officer-in-charge of Bhagwanpur police station initially refused to register her complaint. A case was later filed following intervention, and Mallik was arrested.

Senior police officials told NDTV that action would also be taken against the concerned police officers for negligence.

The incident has triggered a political row, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that the accused is linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress.

“West Bengal is in the hands of jihadis. They are directing a singer on which song she should sing. This was an anti-Hindu approach,” BJP leader Shankudeb Panda said.

He further alleged that the police acted under political pressure and initially refused to lodge the complaint when the singer approached them.