The scenario was no different during the Panchayat elections in West Bengal in 2018. Many from the opposition could not even file their nomination when the Calcutta High Court had to intervene and had to reprimand the State for letting the nominations be filed. What happened during the polls and the post-polls defeated any hopes of any sign of matured democracy. Every form of violation of poll conduct took place, in elections marred by violence and deaths.
The scenario was a bit different during the recently held Lok Sabha elections in 2019. There were sufficient numbers of Central Forces, who prevailed upon the recalcitrant state police force and there was much less violence at the polling booths and even fewer clashes and deaths. But as soon as the Central forces were withdrawn, the dance of the devil of poll violence thundered and has so far taken 12 lives. There are disturbances in many parts of the State, of disturbing proportions.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal has refuted, rather hollowly, that there has not been single death from political violence, and all those who had died could be from non-political related violence. The loyal bureaucracy of the State readily parroted her statement in denying any violence, but the reality is different. Brutal violence from various parts, spanning the length and breadth of the State is telecast on all the national TV channels, which is unmissable.
The pitch has been queered by the visit of the State governor to Delhi, to submit a report on the state law and order, the Home Ministry sending an advisory to the State. It has further infuriated the mercurial CM, who claims that it is a crafty design by the BJP. There is frequent mention of the imposition of President’s rule in the media and in political circles.
Amid denials and counterclaims, bodies pile up in violent clashes in Bengal. Strangely, the civil society, who did not waste a minute in hitting the streets against every aberration to civil liberty or violation by the government, is hiding in the closet, apparently out of fear of reprisals. There are no peace marches, candle-light protests against deaths, which the State must’ve stopped, being in charge of law and order.
Curbing any democratic right, including victory processions is a fallacious and ill-advised move by the government. An action could have been taken, only if there was a breach of peace. Presumptive challenges in the name of maintaining peace are unacceptable in any democracy.
Bengal is reeling through a repetitive cycle of political Nazism, branding opponents as anarchists, anti-state and anti-secular. If the CM can understand the veracity of the ground realities, she will stop being belligerent and forthwith retract from her hostile attitude towards the Central Government, arrange for all-party peace meetings and involve the civil society, beyond her party goons.
A President’s rule, if imposed, could be the devil’s option, which has to be exercised to stop the meaningless mortalities.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix