Trinamool Congress calls for boycott of dissenting artists in West Bengal protests

Trinamool Congress leaders have called for a boycott of artists who criticized the West Bengal government amid protests over the murder of a doctor. This move has sparked backlash from both opposition parties and the artistic community, highlighting the party's intolerance towards dissent. The call for boycott, led by Kunal Ghosh and supported by other senior leaders, contrasts with the party's previous reliance on artists for support. Critics argue this reflects a shift towards authoritarianism, similar to the right-wing forces Trinamool claims to oppose. Despite the backlash, Trinamool's general secretary Abhishek Banerjee expressed disapproval of the boycott, emphasizing freedom of expression. However, internal divisions within the party appear to be growing, with leaders remaining loyal to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's stance.