Editor,
The incoming NDA Government’s oath-taking ceremony on Thursday which had as many as 8,000 guests makes the event great and unique. But while the nation is agog at this swearing in ceremony, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is sulking and has decided to stay away, thereby taking the sheen off the event. Mamata has her own reasons for not attending the function. The TMC Chief said that the BJP had spread lies about political murders in West Bengal. She accused the BJP of using the swearing-in ceremony to score political points.
In another unexpected development, TMC MLA Monirul Islam joined the saffron fold, making him the third legislator to desert the ruling party in West Bengal after the BJP gained significantly in the Lok Sabha polls in the state. Sadly, the BJP and TMC are engaged in a bitter war of words throughout the seven-phase campaigning in the state. Mamata said, “In the last one hour, I am seeing media reports that the BJP claims 54 people have been murdered in political violence in Bengal. This is completely untrue. There have been no political murders in Bengal. There is no record with us. Sorry, this has compelled me not to attend the ceremony.”
In the ultimate analysis, it can be inferred that Mamata could not make it to the event as her party’s relationship with the BJP has worsened beyond redemption. It seems that BJP and TMC enmity has reached a crescendo with Mamata’s decision to stay away from the swearing in ceremony. If the two parties do not bury the hatchet, further spilling of blood in West Bengal cannot be ruled out. In the interest of the people of West Bengal, both the parties should stop fighting. Let peace prevail so that the state and its people can march forward in the path of development.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Kochi -15
Plight of Bengalis in Bengal
Editor,
Apropos the letter “Bengal’s Politics of violence” by Salil Gewali, I have no words to praise him. His letters have opened my eyes and made me realise the weakness of our own communities. As a Bengali I thank Mr Gewali from the bottom of my heart. Bengal has been facing problem after problem long before independence. The man-made famine of 1945 was very disturbing. About 3 million people died when they were forced to starve to death. This happened due to the uncaring policies of the British Raj towards the people of Bengal. All food supplies were stopped. Again many massacres happened during CPM rule which were due to ideological and cultural differences. Bengal people were happy when Mamata Banerjee entered politics. She was determined to end the misrule of CPM. She promised to help the underprivileged and to mitigate their sufferings. Alas! Now the problems have increased manifold. Her only concern is to build her vote bank through the policy of appeasement. Bengali people cannot freely celebrate their festivals like Durga Puja and Kali Puja in some of the districts, whereas Mamata Banerjee never stopped other communities from celebrating their festivals by causing problems to indigenous Hindus. Many kidnappings and rapes are committed and no action is taken against the convicts. The conviction rate against the rapists is very low. Why is there such discrimination? In the villages and suburban areas where the population of infiltrators is very high the villagers live in constant fear. Indigenous Bengalis feel orphaned in their own state. Though media always tries to hide the atrocities experienced by the majority but now everyone has understood. What I feel personally is that NRC in Bengal is a must otherwise the Bengali people have no future.
Yours etc.,
Rupesh R. Nath,
Shillong -2