Describing the violence in panchayat polls as a matter of shame, noted litterateur Mahasweta Devi today said that using "abusive and offensive" words during campaigning incited it.
"The use of bad language is responsible for inciting the violence," Mahasweta told reporters at a programme here when asked to comment on yesterday's violence in Burdwan district where three persons were killed during the second phase of the panchayat polls.
Last week, Trinamool Congress Birbhum district president Anubrata Mandal had used abusive words in his speech and even dubbed the Congress as a "party of beggars" at a rally.
Earlier during the day, the Congress alleged that bombs were hurled and guns fired at a rally by Union minister A H Khan Chowdhury in Malda district, but the police denied it.
"Is this what happens in a civilised society? It's shameful," said the writer, a Jnanpith award recipient, who has often been critical of the Mamata Banerjee government.
