NEW DELHI: A photo exhibition titled “Shifting the Lens” was held at the Constitution Club of India on Friday, highlighting post-election communal violence in West Bengal, with a focus on Murshidabad district. Organized by Organiser Weekly, the event featured photographs by journalist Nishant Kumar Azad, who documented the aftermath of unrest through visuals of burnt homes, vandalized temples, and displaced families.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, journalist Kanchan Gupta, and author Deep Halder were among the speakers. Dasgupta described visiting villages where Hindus were allegedly targeted and police advised victims to flee rather than offering protection. Paul said two hawkers were killed in communal violence after Friday prayers and criticized the lack of arrests.
Kanchan Gupta raised concerns about demographic changes and alleged infiltration in border districts like Murshidabad, linking it to patterns of targeted violence. Halder recounted online threats he received after tweeting about the violence in 2021, highlighting a broader culture of intimidation against reporters.
Event curator Prafulla Ketkar said mainstream media had underreported the unrest and called for institutional accountability and consistent law enforcement. The panel concluded with an appeal for impartial justice and greater support for journalists reporting from conflict-hit regions.
