Calcutta HC blasts TMC leader-headed film federation over infringement of directors' fundamental rights

Director Bidula Bhattacharya had moved the court accusing the federation, which is headed by ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Swarup Biswas, of infringing upon her fundamental rights.

Later, a petition was filed in the court against the federation by 15 directors including Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Anirban Bhattacharya and Bidula Bhattacharya.

The High Court bench of Justice Amrita Sinha on Thursday allowed Bidula Bhattacharya to make a representation to the secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs department regarding obstruction to her right to profession.

The petitioners had told the court that the state government provides health insurance to the members of Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) but through the federation.

The health insurance can be availed by the members of DAEI or members of other trade unions only when the credentials are submitted through the federation, the petition had said.

The court has directed that the federation will have no controlling power over the insurance and the concerned members can directly reach out to the government.

The tussle between the federation and directors has been prevailing for quite long.

Last year, the conflict started after shooting for Rahool Mukherjee's film starring superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee was halted over the ban imposed on the director.

The film and TV directors had stopped working in solidarity with Rahool.

The matter went to such an extent that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to intervene and form a committee to look into the grievances and set the camera rolling in the Tollywood studio premises.