CONTAI: Bengal prisons minister Akhil Giri resigned from state cabinet on Sunday amid intense pressure from both within Trinamool Congress and external quarters following his insulting outburst against forest ranger Manisha Shaw, calling her “beyadob” (discourteous) and a “janowar” (beast). Despite stepping down, Giri remained adamant against personally apologising to Shaw, although he maintained he was “repentant” of his remarks.
Shaw had angered the minister by disputing local allegations of high-handed behaviour during an anti-encroachment drive on forest land along the Tajpur coastline in Purba Medinipur.The septuagenarian minister’s tirade Saturday included instructing the 36-year-old officer on proper conduct, shouting: “A state employee should talk with his/her heads bowed down.”
This was not Giri’s first brush with controversy. In Nov 2022, he faced backlash for making objectionable comments about President Droupadi Murmu, prompting TMC chief and CM Mamata Banerjee to publicly apologise on his behalf. The party had also cautioned him against such behaviour.
Following his latest outburst, TMC state chief Subrata Bakshi demanded Giri resign or face expulsion.
At a press conference on Sunday, Giri attempted to assuage the fallout. “I should not have said that, but I cannot take back what I said. The forest officer’s misbehaviour with the locals angered me,” he said. “I have never apologised to a state officer, and I never will,” he asserted. Giri acknowledged the party’s instructions and Banerjee’s displeasure. “CM Banerjee is very pained. Perhaps that is why she has taken this decision,” he said. Banerjee is scheduled to chair a cabinet meeting Monday.
Reflecting on his political journey, Giri said he had been an MLA multiple times, first winning Ramnagar assembly seat in 2001 and then three consecutive terms since 2011, becoming a cabinet minister in 2022. “I will continue to work for the people,” he said.
Shaw had angered the minister by disputing local allegations of high-handed behaviour during an anti-encroachment drive on forest land along the Tajpur coastline in Purba Medinipur.The septuagenarian minister’s tirade Saturday included instructing the 36-year-old officer on proper conduct, shouting: “A state employee should talk with his/her heads bowed down.”
This was not Giri’s first brush with controversy. In Nov 2022, he faced backlash for making objectionable comments about President Droupadi Murmu, prompting TMC chief and CM Mamata Banerjee to publicly apologise on his behalf. The party had also cautioned him against such behaviour.
Following his latest outburst, TMC state chief Subrata Bakshi demanded Giri resign or face expulsion.
At a press conference on Sunday, Giri attempted to assuage the fallout. “I should not have said that, but I cannot take back what I said. The forest officer’s misbehaviour with the locals angered me,” he said. “I have never apologised to a state officer, and I never will,” he asserted. Giri acknowledged the party’s instructions and Banerjee’s displeasure. “CM Banerjee is very pained. Perhaps that is why she has taken this decision,” he said. Banerjee is scheduled to chair a cabinet meeting Monday.
Reflecting on his political journey, Giri said he had been an MLA multiple times, first winning Ramnagar assembly seat in 2001 and then three consecutive terms since 2011, becoming a cabinet minister in 2022. “I will continue to work for the people,” he said.