Forum created under former SC judge Ashok Kumar Ganguly to raise voice against 'deterioration of democracy' in West Bengal

To save democracy in West Bengal a new platform 'Save Democracy Forum' was formed today here under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly. The apolitical forum include leaders of both the Congress and CPI(M) and other well known personalities from different fields.

Congress leaders Abdul Mannan, Mala Roy, CPI(M)'s Sujan Chakraborty, city's former mayor Bikash Bhattacharya and educationaist Sunanda Sanyal have been included in the forum, which will hold a rally in the city on November 14 protesting alleged deterioration of democracy in the state. "Democracy has been violated in the state in every way. Democracy does not mean just your right to caste votes.
It means lawful rights of citizens to lead life that's been interfered in every sphere.

"During admission in schools, in hospitals and even at police stations, common people are facing undemocratic attitude of the ruling party in this state. So, to save democracy we have formed this forum," Justice Ganguly, the former chairman of West Bengal Human Rights Commission said. "This forum is totally a non-political one without any flag or banner, to protest against ongoing police atrocities, rising political violence in the state and the state government's ploy to cut down the voice of the opposition," he said.

In our rally scheduled on November 14, we welcome everybody irrespective of their political affiliation, to join us from College Square till Rani Rashmoni Road, he said. On the forum's future course of action, Justice Ganguly said the rally would be the first step to reach out to everybody in the state. "We will decide our next course of action on the day of the rally," he added.