Rituparna Sengupta shares on being heckled during the Kolkata rape protest: ‘It did not affect me…’ | Bengali Movie News – Times of India

Bengali actress Rituparna Sengupta became embroiled in a minor controversy following the horrific Kolkata rape case. While participating in a protest in the city, she faced heckling from the crowd, ultimately leading her to withdraw from the event. In a recent interview, Sengupta clarified that the individuals who harassed her were not locals but outsiders who did not represent the protestors.Despite finding the experience unsettling, she emphasized that it would not dissuade her from advocating for her beliefs.
Rituparna called the time when Kolkata was in the spotlight “stressful” in a recent chat with India Today. The ‘Praktan’ actor expressed the importance of continuous discussion to prevent incidents of workplace violence against women. Acknowledging the negative impact on the city, she emphasized the growing strength of the movement despite the challenges. She voiced her deep sympathy for the victim’s family and demanded justice from lawmakers, asserting that women should be safe in their workplaces and that such atrocities must not be tolerated in Kolkata.

Sengupta also addressed the backlash faced by celebrities for their silence on the incident, noting that she encountered angry protestors. She characterized these protestors as hooligans intent on disrupting the movement rather than genuinely supporting it. Sengupta dismissed their actions as attempts to gain attention through negative slogans against celebrities, describing them as intoxicated and unaware of their behavior. “It did not affect me, as I knew those people were not a part of the movement. They were hooligans, hounding and bullying people,” she added. The actress emphasized that significant change cannot be achieved through such petty and disrespectful actions.
Following the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called her to check on her. She assured that the people were not part of the protestors and that they were trying to disrupt the movement. “We have to ignore them and focus on the bigger issues. We need to look at finding justice for the woman who lost her life,” Sengupta stated.
On August 9, a tragic incident occurred at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, where an on-duty doctor was brutally raped and murdered. This shocking event ignited widespread outrage across the country, prompting calls for a safer environment for women. In response, doctors nationwide organized a strike, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the incident and enhanced security measures in hospitals.