I was distraught seeing a noted author, Ramchandra Guha being maltreated by cops at Bengaluru when he was protesting peacefully against CAA. He was alone, with only a few policemen around and thus did not violate provisions of Sec 144 promulgated in the city. There was no curfew, barring the presence of any citizen in public.
Political opponents of Modi are converging and consolidating their opposition to the CAA and at the same time trying to ascend to the pole position as the chief opponent, which might reap dividends in the future political scenario. I must say Mamata is leading the race way ahead of other politicians.
The destruction of the public property went on unabated and unchecked in Bengal immediately as soon as the CM gave a call to protest. The police were around at the scene of protests and were mere as spectators, trying to appease the arsonists. There were shock and disbelief at the State’s silence over the destruction.
I guess the CM made the first slip when she commented that it was not her responsibility to protect the railways and that it was the Union government’s job to protect the trains, even inside West Bengal. Surely, doubling as the Home Minister of the State, her statement was without proper application of mind, as she always loathed the idea of Central forces in the State for whatever reasons.
‘Over my dead body,’ the CM screamed, promising that CAA and NRC will never be allowed in the State of West Bengal. The National Population Register work that was going on too has been stopped by the State. Though the matter is sub-judice if the Supreme Court does not find the Act contrary to the constitution, the State will have no say but fall in line with an Act of Parliament under the Union list.
Today the CM has demanded a referendum under the UN for the CAA and the NRC. The demand is not even constitutionally possible in any sovereign nation. The absurd suggestion only paints Bengal in poor light. The bureaucrats working at Nabanna are all sworn to the constitution. They are duty-bound to follow orders only as long as they are not conflicting to laws of the land.
If Mamata is forcing the dismissal of her government, thus becoming a martyr, to make a comeback with huge gains, the centre may be in no mood to oblige her. They know their deficiency of a leadership face to counter Didi in Bengal. She should hurriedly take a few cerebral to strategize her course better.
I guess no Indian, regardless of their religious faith, should suffer the ignominy of being unwanted or treated as second class. Our secular credentials are better and need not alter to a Hindutva form.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
