A different role

West Bengal minister and senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Swapan Debnath is also a part-time Jatra (Bengali folk theatre) artiste. Debnath, who recently courted controversy when he alleged that some Communist Party of India (Marxist) women activists were in the habit of tearing their clothes and then accusing TMC men of molestation, has joined a local opera as an actor. The minister will be playing the role of Hindu monk and social reformer from 16th century Bengal, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was known for preaching the virtues of compassion, love and brotherhood. This, some within the party are hoping, will help Debnath stay away from controversies.