GK Gokhle once said, “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow,” a sentiment proven by history. From the first abolition of Sati to the establishment of the first newspaper in India, the Bengal Gazette, from the first revolt against British rule to the creation of the first high court in India, and from the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize, Rabindranath Tagore, the list goes on.
Over time, the once-revolutionary state has transformed from being a beacon of change to a symbol of victimhood. Bengal now stands as a matter of national concern. Yes, this is the same Bengal that once readily responded to the call of the communists, but now exists as a voiceless and powerless community. It’s a state where violence has become a daily occurrence.
According to police sources, West Bengal experienced 59 incidents of communal violence in 2013 alone. The notorious Dhulagarh riots took place in 2016, followed by subsequent riots in Basirhat and Baduria in the North 24 Parganas district.
In 2021, when Bengal had a chance for the ruling BJP win in the state the public let it slip. However, Bengal today is not just the concern of the ruling BJP but is in the talks of every individuals. The illegal immigrants from Bangladesh where they are offered readymade Aadhaar cards under the surveillance of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. Undoubtedly she has successfully defeated the ruling BJP in the state of West Bengal.
The opposition has claimed that the Bengal government has a fixed vote bank consisting of immigrants from Bangladesh, which allegedly helps the Trinamool Congress win elections.
Amid the discussions about the recent violence in Sandeshkhali, which is unprecedented, several incidents have emerged where Hindus and saints are purportedly targeted and attacked. Several women are allegedly raped and harassed in the name of political controversy. All these incidents are known and noticed but are silently protested against. It’s clear that the people of Bengal are not willing to risk themselves by supporting the BJP.
To let you know that West Bengal is a state known to be woman dominating. Also today Bengal is the only state which has a female Chief Minister. There seems a total negligence in the security of woman under Banerjee. The Sandeshkhali survivor who lodged complaint against the local Trinamool Congress leaders over sexual assault claimed that said that the miscreants ransacked her house on February 17.
#WATCH | West Bengal: After visiting Sandeshkhali, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma says, “She (Mamata Banerjee) should resign and come here without any post, only then she will understand the pain of the women here…” pic.twitter.com/Vt3DDYquvR
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024
Previously, a detailed report from the Ministry of Home Affairs provided comprehensive data on political violence in West Bengal, stated 693 incidents and 11 fatalities during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, it highlighted 23 fatalities occurring on polling day and the night before during the 2018 panchayat elections. Which is scary and threatening.
A woman in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali says, “…What to say about Mamata Banerjee, she did not enquire about us, did not meet us…What to say about her, she herself is a woman and we are also women, in such a situation, if she does not come to us then imagine what our condition would be…”
#WATCH | A woman staying in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali says, “…What to say about Mamata Banerjee, she did not enquire about us, did not meet us…What to say about her, she herself is a woman and we are also women, in such a situation, if she does not come to us then imagine… pic.twitter.com/04MrP3JKke
— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024
However, Banerjee’s have often shown ignorance in several Hindu functions. Several times incidents of Hindu’s or saint attacked have emerged in the state leading to severe differences in the vivid communities of the state.
The BJP questions that how is that every time the police are not on time of the violence and there is no pause of such incidents?
Today Bengal has culture but infrastructure, Bengal has its roots but employment, Bengal has language but no jobs. So what are the voters of Bengal looking for? What are their vision towards their land? What has happened to the tall talks about being the most superior race in India?
Does BJP Deserves a Chance ?
Well its not an easy task as BJP is today the face of Hindi language today. But still BJP can grab a chance. There’s a real chance to strengthen the BJP’s connection with Bengalis by presenting them with a Bengali face from the BJP whom they can see as their role model. This person could guide them into a new era for Bengal, much like the Pied Piper of Hamelin led the people. This isn’t to liken the people of Bengal to mice; Bengalis prefer to see themselves as tigers. The BJP hopes to bring out that strength in them, even under Mamata’s leadership.
Bengal seeks novelty and freshness—someone bold, youthful, and unexpected. Perhaps an individual who emerges as a pleasant surprise, bringing a breath of fresh air without the burden of past baggage or the weight of present prejudices.
Hence its time the Bengalis to wake up and see what the reality of the state is.
