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Ominous signs in Bengal

Kashmir Times. Dated: 7/11/2017 11:56:48 PM

All efforts should be made to restore peace and desist from playing politics

The communal violence in 24 Parganas district in West Bengal that started over an 'objectionable' facebook post last week angering minorities who first went on a rampage burning and vandalizing shops and buildings is shocking and condemnable. A retaliation by the majority community further turned the area into a free for all site of arson, loot and violence. Though violence has since calmed, insecurities on both sides and communal polarization with all political groups, across the board trying to use this opportunity for petty politicking, provides enough explosive ammunition for a communal inferno. All collective efforts should be made to douse the fires fully. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who earlier fumbled by dilly-dallying over the raging fires and then indulged in the pointless game of blaming the BJP and the Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to earn brownie points, appears to have finally got her act together. Efforts by community members to restore calm, peace and communal harmony are also appreciable. However, the prospects of peace continue to be marred by the tireless efforts of all political groups, particularly BJP, to muddy the waters of Bengal by using the communal conflagration as an opportunity to promote their electoral politics. The chief minister who has already lost much time by her own bit of politicking, is now painfully labouring to stop the march of political leaders of various groups including left parties and BJP from descending on the trouble torn areas. It is important that she both stop the politicians of all hues including those from her own flock to meddle in the already fragile situation as well as crackdown on those responsible for the acts of arson and violence without playing politics by pandering to the interests of radical groups within minorities who form her vote bank.
It is also incumbent upon BJP, which has a vast appetite for stoking communal passions, to desist from fanning the fires. The job of restoring law and order should be left to Mamata Banerjee and it needs to be understood that BJP rushing in leaders from Delhi to the troubled district or backing the Governor by calling him sainik of Modi bahini would only aggravate the situation. That may suit the electoral interests of the BJP which is known to feed on such incidents in order to frame its own polarising narrative. However, as a party in power at the Centre, it must play a more responsible role because fanning these fires will have repercussions that could be dangerous not only for West Bengal but also the entire country, particularly the neighbouring states. Other political groups including Left parties and Congress should also help in calming down tempers rather than playing a role to further the communal divisions. The main onus is on the West Bengal chief minister, who is still going strong, despite tireless efforts by BJP to queer her path by filling the state with saffron flags. Her main focus should be restoring law and order and confidence of both communities without getting tempted to play vote-bank politics by pandering to the interests of the minorities. She should be quick to realise that the maximum benefit of communal politics would be reaped not by her but the saffron groups. In times of distressing saffron discourse sweeping across the country, West Bengal with its by and large unaffected politics has shown hope. Last week's incidents have dampened these hopes. Mamata's energies should be focused on renewing those hopes and confidence. It is not only BJP but also Mamata's Trinamool and other secular groups who should guard against parochial politics.