Just when Kolkata was trying to deal with one of its much-treasured intellectuals being arrested for sexual assault, another victim has accused famed musician and founding member of Bengal's first band Mohiner Ghoraguli, Ranjon Ghoshal of similar crimes.
Susmita Pramanik took to Facebook to write about her ordeal in 2016. Ranjon has a fan following and Susmita too was one of them. She joined Facebook when she was in Class 12 and had sent Ranjon a friend request. He readily accepted. "I was so delighted that a famous man like him had accepted my request. Not just that he also sent me four messages in a row when I thanked him for accepting my request," said Susmita, now a student of Comparative Literature at Jadavpur University.
Read Susmita's post here.
Soon the 'friendship' flourished and Ranjon asked for pictures and selfies. "He had called me the next day via Facebook Messanger. I did not attend the call the first time but then he called again and even sang for me. But soon things changed. Every conversation ended up in what I was wearing and whether I can send him a photo. I was naive. I was a starstruck 16-year-old. I did not know how to protest so I just ignored him after a while," recalled Susmita. Susmita had put up screenshots of the conversations which shows Ranjon asking the then 16-year-old for photos 'from inside the bathroom', asking for selfies and discussing how saris expose navel areas.
Apparently, this isn't the first time this is happening. "This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced against the man. But victims have not been able to prove his crimes. I have proof," said Susmita. But she has not decided whether she wishes to press charges as of yet. "I do not know yet whether to take legal steps or not. What is the use? I will exhaust myself, my close ones and at the end of it all, he might as well go scot-free. I will just end up at the other of a taxing and arduous process. This has caused him the social disgrace that he deserved. But I have not made up my mind yet. I am still considering the option," added Susmita.
Media personality and daughter of author Sirsendu Mukhopadhyay, Debalina Mukhopadhyay, also recalled her encounter with Rajon for which she had moved the court 15 years ago. She later withdrew the case after Ranjon apologised.
Ranjon put up a post on Facebook apologising for his actions. "I know I have violated the personal space of some individuals with my actions and I am unconditionally sorry for that. I need to correct myself. I will make sure that I do not make anyone else feels insecure or vulnerable," wrote Ranjon. He also apologised to "whoever I have misbehaved with".
