Kolkata, Jan 23 (IANS) West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan Sunday said intellectuals should not support the Maoist ideology and actions.

"We don't want intellectuals to support Maoist ideology and Maoist actions," Narayanan said on the sidelines of a programme celebrating the 114th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose here.

Asked why a section of intellectuals and civil society were soft on the rebels, the former national security adviser said: "In Maoism, there is an element of ideology and idea, that's why".

Two days back, Narayanan had expressed concern over the encouragement the left wing ultras were receiving from the civil society, saying that "we need the support of well minded citizen so that matters don't go out of control".

The governor had also referred to the left extremist ideology apparently "gaining upper hand in the minds of the people" after doctor-activist Binayak Sen's conviction.

"The civil society has been very much on the attack demanding for his release," Narayanan said Friday at a convention.

The governor had also observed that Maoism had become fashionable in different universities in India, including in West Bengal.