Guitar in hand, Suman to sing for Naxals in House

NEW DELHI: At a time when the Centre has decided on a full-fledged offensive against Maoists, Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman said he will demonstrate against Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in Parliament premises. He, however, said violence perpetrated by Maoists should also stop.
Suman has been involved in a raging battle with his own party and its chief Mamata Banerjee over his stand in defence of Maoists and against Centre’s crackdown on them."I will demonstrate in Parliament premises. It will be peaceful, I will take my guitar and sing, against state-sponsored atrocities perpetrated through laws like UAPA. Whoever wants to join me in that is welcome," he told TOI when asked why he was taking a stand against government of which he is a part.
Asked if he had spoken to Mamata about his decision to demonstrate, he said, "I have invited everybody... would want her to be there with me," hinting that he had not discussed it with his party chief. Suman said he had wanted to demonstrate on the day the House opened for the Budget session but his party leaders told him that they would discuss the issue at the party meeting and let him know if he could go ahead.
"But I am determined and will do it before March 6," he said. "I am not against the government or my party. I support Mamata for what she is doing, I want UPA to remain in office, so that communal forces like BJP do not come in, but I differ fundamentally on some issues with the government and I want to voice my opinion," he said, adding, "I tried to gather opinion on my side but I am finding it difficult."
Admitting that "Maoists must also realise that it (the violent confrontation) has to end somewhere", Suman stressed on the fact that "government should take this opportunity of the offer for ceasefire and talk to Maoists to resolve the problems". Suman also said, "I am with the downtrodden and I am sorry to say the state is not giving me a chance."