Bloodied Bengal!

I guess no other gentry from any community had the distinction of a prefix, ‘bhadrolok,’ – gentlemen!

A brave Bengal led by the front fighting the British, an intellectual Bengal led in culture and academics, a sympathetic Bengal offered its youths to the assaulted neighbour. An intelligent Bengal was the home of all industries, and a tolerant Bengal was the melting pot of religions and migrants. A sensitive Bengal always was ahead in rendering its helping hands wherever.

If Bengalis were egoistic, they were by right. If many were considered arrogant, that was perhaps their difference of intelligence and thoughts. Bengal was not a mere status quo and always egged for a ‘poriborton’ – change. The monolithic Hinduism was not as progressive for a section of Bengalis when they founded the Brahmo Samaj.  The State and the people led as examples and could be easily identified wherever in the world as people different. 

All that seems to have changed now.  What has happened to the once citadel of civilisation and cradle of culture? Can merely representing a political ideology and a desire to serve the citizens change the basic thoughts and turn men into animals? 

Elections are on in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu. We see people standing in orderly queues in all the States, patiently waiting for casting their franchise. There is even a festive spirit. The policemen and Central forces are much less in numbers. There is no violence.

West Bengal is also in the midst of elections, much to the ruling Trinamool party’s chagrin in an unprecedented eight phases. Today is the third phase, and five more are due until the end of this month. Bengal is unlike any of the other States of India where the elections are going on. Entire polling constituencies are swarming with Central forces and further crowded by the State policemen. Killing and assaults are seen in several places driven by senseless hatred and violence, all merely in the name of politics.

I have never seen a Chief Minister exhorting her citizens to take up equipment and arms to chase and attack her political opponents as I see now. Today one could witness many women with logs and bamboos joining the usually male-dominated attack squads. I would not limit my criticism only to the ruling party, which seems under stress and a fear of losing.

The lowly politicians have caused deep and dangerous damage to Bengal’s ethos. We are worse than our once dreaded western neighbours, the U.P. and Bihar, in conducting elections. The laid-back attitude of the present generation of elders and the speedy exit of the sensitive youths outside the State are quickly replaced with illiterate and uncivilised youths. The political parties control such infertile minds.

Regardless of who wins these elections, it will be a difficult dream to realise the Bengal as it once was and turn the future into a glorious one in any near future. If the perpetrators are at fault, so are we all for being mute spectators and leaving everything to the almighty.

Sampath Kumar

Intrépide Voix