New Delhi: More than Mamata Banerjee returning to power for 3rd term, it was Bengal post-poll violence which made national headlines. The spate of violence by ruling party against its main political rival BJP continued for a week while Mamata administration chose to keep mum on the issue.
Concerted and co-ordinated attack on BJP party offices, barbaric assaults on BJP workers and even molestation of women at many places in Bengal sent shockwaves all across the country but it was newly-elected TMC govt which remained unmoved despite numerous incidents of arson, violence and mayhem on Bengal streets.
The scale and span of post-poll violence is an alarming signal for a democratic country like India.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which desists from dishing out its views on politics, has taken note of the ‘state-sponsored violence’ and called for a national debate on the issue.
“It is not just a case of political violence but a matter on which there should be a nation-wide debate & discussion,” says Arun Anand explaining Sangh’s views on the matter. Besides being a seasoned journalist, Arun Anand is also an expert on Sangh affairs and the Research Director, Vichar Vinimay Kendra.
He informs that after attack on houses and commercial complexes, many people were forced to flee their homes and are now living in relief camps, built by Sangh volunteers.
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The noted writer says that Sangh has built 190 relief camps in which about 6,000 displaced people have been given shelter.
Bengal results & violence that confounded all
In the recently concluded Bengal Assembly elections, BJP won 77 seats while TMC grabbed 213 out of 294 Seats. The results, declared on May 2, were baffling & surprising not for national media but also for psephologists too as most of them forecasted either BJP dislodging TMC or a ‘fight to finish’ in Bengal.
The post-poll violence escalated to an extent that West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced to step in and raise questions over prevailing anarchy in the state. While violence continued unabated for a week, the Mamata administration remained a mute spectator to bloody violence and mayhem on streets.
Sangh distressed over ‘violence culture’ in Bengal
Arun Anand explains that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), being a social organization refrains from commenting upon or judging any political events. But, the mindless violence perpetrated by alleged TMC men, after poll victory, has it anxious.
He informs that on May 7, Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS Sah-Sarakaryavah (Joint General Secretary) stated that the Sangh was worried about its future in West Bengal.
“We must always remember that all the political parties belong to India. And everyone participating in the electoral process of India; the politicians, voters and supporters, are all citizens of India,” Dattatreya Hosabale said in a statement.
Bengal bloodshed calls for national debate
Explaining the RSS views on Bengal bloodshed, Arun Anand says that unprecedented scale of violence unleashed on political rivals after elections couldn’t have been possible without tacit approval of winning party i.e. TMC govt.
“It is not just about alleged TMC goons inflicting atrocity on political rivals but a dangerous sign for democracy,” Arun Anand, Research Director at Vichar Vinimay Kendra.
Elaborating Sangh’s views further, he says that the matter is not just about post poll violence but also a matter of degradation of democracy in the country and such issues should concern all including the countrymen.
Such acts of violence can’t be carried out without co-ordinated and concerted approach and planning and hence it is an alarming signal for a democratic nation like India.
Attack on Hindutva by Jihadi forces, a big concern
Arun Anand, putting forward Sangh’s views, says the violence were indeed concerted and co-ordinated. But, what’s more baffling is not just political violence but the ‘intrusion of jihadi forces’ in post-poll violence.
Sangh believes that many incidents of violence were such, where followers of Hindutva were targeted by people of “Jihadi” mentality. This dimension needs to be pondered and probed when the investigation into the matter takes place.
Kashmir-like exodus; thousands living in camps
Because of such co-ordinated attack, many people were forced to flee their homes and find shelter in relief camps. They have become an outcast in their own land. The situation looks terribly similar to Kashmir, where Hindu Pandits were thrown out of their homes while state government sat idle & watched the exodus.
This assumed more significance as Bengal has a sizeable population of illegal migrants. According to the Sangh, more than 1 crore illegal migrants have been given voting rights in West Bengal. While all the political opponents have been voted out, the fight now remains between BJP and TMC. Even before elections, many BJP workers were killed and today, state govt’s complacent handling of the matter has sent alarm bells ringing. The Sangh has requested the state govt to exercise more vigilance and diligence in controlling the violence.
Lastly, the RSS calls for de-politicization of the police force in state for a fair and truthful probe into post-poll violence. It is also of the view that Bengal bloody violence must be debated upon on a bigger forum in the interest of democracy.
