On April 26, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the state’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the violence in Kaliaganj, a town in the state’s north, where a police station was set ablaze by a mob during a protest over the death of a teenager. The issue had already sparked massive protests in the area.
The chief minister accused the BJP of orchestrating the violence, stating that they had brought people from Bihar who had looted villagers, ransacked the police station, and brutally beaten police officers. Banerjee added that the BJP was resorting to “total hooliganism” in Bengal because they had “full support from Delhi.” In response, BJP’s state chief Sukanta Majumdar criticized Banerjee, stating that the chief minister had “lost control” of the administration.
The incident began when the teenager’s death sparked widespread anger in Kaliaganj. Initial reports suggested that the girl had been raped and murdered. However, Banerjee stated that it was unclear if it was a suicide case, as doctors had stated that the girl had taken poison. The police had already video-graphed the postmortem and obtained the postmortem report, which Banerjee stated would help them take strong action.
The violence in Kaliaganj has been condemned by all political parties, and the state administration has detained 11 people in connection with the incident. Banerjee has also ordered a ban on gatherings in the area.
This incident is the latest in a series of violent incidents in West Bengal that have erupted since the BJP emerged as the main opposition to Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) party in the state. The BJP has accused the TMC of using violence and intimidation to maintain its hold on the state, while the TMC has accused the BJP of inciting violence and creating a communal divide in Bengal.
The BJP’s rise in West Bengal has been attributed to several factors, including Banerjee’s authoritarian style of governance, the TMC’s alleged corruption, and the BJP’s aggressive Hindutva politics. The BJP has been successful in attracting support from the state’s large Hindu population, while the TMC has been accused of appeasing the state’s Muslim minority.
The BJP has made significant inroads in Bengal over the past few years, winning 18 of the state’s 42 parliamentary seats in the 2019 general elections. The party has set its sights on winning the state assembly elections, scheduled for 2024. The TMC, on the other hand, is determined to maintain its hold on the state and has accused the BJP of trying to destabilize it through violence and intimidation.
The violence in Kaliaganj highlights the tense political situation in West Bengal and the need for both parties to exercise restraint and refrain from inciting violence. The state administration must take strong action against those responsible for the violence and ensure that the situation does not escalate further. The BJP and the TMC must engage in constructive dialogue and work towards resolving their differences through peaceful means. Only then can Bengal move towards a more stable and peaceful future.
