Hema Malini writes to Speaker; says West Bengal denying permission for cultural events

Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, actor and BJP MP Hema Malini has written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, complaining about rampant “cultural fascism” in the state, which she said has adversely affected livelihoods.

“I have written a letter to Mr. Speaker highlighting the cultural fascism in West Bengal and how it has negatively affected many people from the cultural world,” the Mathura MP said in a post on X.

“This is both a security risk and a negative impact on livelihoods,” he said.

In the letter, Ms. Malini recorded several of her experiences when she said that she and her collaborators were not allowed to perform at certain venues by the state government, citing political programs at those venues.

“The tragic thing is that these are not isolated examples. Over the years, a consistent pattern has emerged in West Bengal; permits for cultural events are often either delayed or denied at the eleventh hour, creating uncertainty and disruption for artists and organisers,” the letter said.

“If I, a five-time MP, felt a sense of insecurity and helplessness under these circumstances, one can only imagine the situation of countless other artists.”

The actor-turned-politician added that this environment was both “unfortunate and unacceptable” and called for cultural spaces to be kept away from political thoughts.