Another Bengali actor under attack: Debolina Dutta faces threats for saying she can cook beef

Bengali actor Debolina Dutta has been under attack on social media after she said at a television show earlier this week that she can cook beef and is ready to cook it for another panelist on the show. Dutta said that she herself is a vegetarian, but believes in people’s freedom to eat whatever they please. She mentioned that she is ready to cook the meat during Durga Puja in context of the ongoing discussion where some speakers were stating that there should not be restrictions on food during festivals.

Dutta said that as a repercussion of her comment during the TV programme, she has been mentioned on social media comments as a sex worker, and threatened with rape and murder. Her husband Tathagata Mukherjee mentioned in detail on social media about the harassment that they have been facing, especially about the attack on Debolina Dutta.

A complaint was filed against Dutta in Baguiati police station adjoining Kolkata, on Tuesday. Speaking to the media, Dutta said she would fight the matter legally.

The attack on Debolina Dutta comes at a time another Bengali actor Saayoni Ghosh has been mentioned in a police complaint by senior BJP leader Tathagata Roy.

Roy – who is former Meghalaya Governor – lodged a police complaint against her with Kolkata Police for a meme shared on Twitter. He alleged that the meme has hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Saayoni Ghosh however, has mentioned publicly that the meme is from February 2015 and was not posted by her. She said that it was a mischievous act by someone who hacked into her account then. On Tuesday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee backed Saayoni Ghosh, saying she has the right to express her opinion. At a public meeting in Purulia district, Banerjee said: “Let me see who has the courage to do anything to her.”