Horrendous phase!

If the post-poll violence in West Bengal is no more a surprise, today’s burning alive of ten persons, a sequel to murdering a ruling party member is horrendous and cold horror, which must be condemned by every person, regardless of party affiliations.

It is difficult to criticize the ruling party, as retorts appear, how about the BJP ruled states, How about Yogi’s U.P? etc. Such reactions are even from educated bhadroloks, myopic and suffering from an eternal apprehension of being kicked on their backs by the Centre.

The change in Bengal is signed and sealed, as filth has infiltrated every party, regardless of any political ideologies. Party hopping was not Bengali culture at all, which has started in the recent years, now promoted by the virtuous. Religion as a weapon was not a part of Bengali culture but is weaponized, dividing people like never before. Abusive tweets and posts are a must even for highly educated and respected faces to get noticed and awarded with some or other plum party posts. What a fall!

I write because I dare. Many who dared more than me are now blinkered, bridled, saddled, and silenced. This difficult transition period of Bengal must not be for any longer. The usual rhetoric of driving out the left rule cannot be replaced by more vicious and disruptive forces. If Marichjanpi and Nandigram were a sin, so is today’s crime of burning people alive. The turncoats are not only political party members but includes the media too.

For most in Bengal, the love for one, emanates from the hate of another. This cannot be a true support at all. My opposition to political ideologies does not endear me to another vicious group. West Bengal has done nothing greater than opposing whoever at the center, since the time of independence. Why do youths happily leave Bengal and settle down all over India? The taste of the rhetoric of outsiders has been busted in Goa. None in India are outsiders if the true inclusivity is understood. It is not a monopoly of any political party.

Where went the ideological Bengal, the literati, and the glitterati, who loved to hit the streets in protest for the smallest violence and excesses? We in Bengal believe that we are the only conscience keepers of the nation, we are the only custodians of art and literature. Leave the frog in a well attitude and learn to mingle without the air of supremacy that has burrowed you down under.

It is time that Bengal reinvents itself to its former glory, the true glory and not the present pseudo glory. Let us revive the spirit of Tagore, Netaji and many great sons and daughters of India. The other alternative is to force ourselves into believing that the present lot are the best and perish.

Didi can turn the tide but must weed out those who are responsible for today’s heinous crime and crimes such.

Sampath Kumar

Intrépide Voix