By Shankar Chatterjee
A great personality and freedom fighter once said, ‘What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow.’ Now, that sounds like a curse.
After 34 years of rule by the Left-front Government in West Bengal, industrial development suffered badly. One example I am citing out of many. “In the last three years (it means 2011,2012 & 2013), 90 large industries have closed down, including 26 jute mills and 28 tea gardens (Article by Sumit Mitra, The Economic Times, Aug 12, 2014).
Anyway, I visited WB for academic activities on a few occasions and came to know that, in general, the people are called ‘Bhadraloks,’ meaning thorough gentlemen. The ‘Bhadraloks’ with great hope, hype, and hoopla, changed the Leftist Government, and thus, the new Government has come to power, but from time to time, many leaders of the new ruling Government have proved that the State has been passing through awful days because of severe corruption. From time to time, different types of corruption have taken place in this State, which has penetrated deep roots. From the selection of teaching and non-teaching faculty in the schools, sand lifting, cattle sending to another country, coal scams, extortion (in Bengali called Tola Baji, which means earning easy money), etc., are now always in the news in the State. During Panchayat elections held in the State, unprecedented violence took place, including ballot boxes being found in the ponds. On the other hand, in recently concluded elections in different States, widespread violence didn’t occur, which the people of WB ( ‘Bhadraloks’)should learn and know. Further, it seems ‘goonda giri,’ ‘rowdyism,’ etc., have added another ‘feather’ to the so-called ‘culturally advanced State.’ Several journalists were reportedly among those attacked and injured as violence broke out in West Bengal when voting took place for elections to 108 municipalities across 20 districts.
On January 5, 2024, many criminals attacked ED officials and CRPF officials in the State because they went to investigate corruption, for which the State is always in the news. The attack on the ED officials and CRPF is highly deplorable and seems law and order have collapsed in the State. We all know Bengal was divided on religious lines, and lakhs of refugees came to the State because of religious persecution. So, the State is burdened with a huge number of refugees.
Anyway, I visited across the country in recent years because of academic work and observed many Bengalis settled in different places, including Secunderabad and Hyderabad as the present places are better than their original place of residence, i.e., West Bengal. Various reports reveal that in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, around 7 lakh Bengalis are living.
Anyway, I think if this ruling Party of the State comes to the Central Government, Indians will watch the worst days. Like in WB, in almost all areas, to get a job, many have to pay a huge amount of money (in lakhs). Anyway, I hope one day, the State will be free from corruption.
S. Chatterjee, Hyderabad
References
Chakravartty, A. (2018). Understanding India: Bhadralok, Modernity and Colonial India. Indian Historical Review, 45(2), 257-285.
Chaudhuri, B. (1980). THE BHADRALOK AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT. Elite and Development, 149.
Guha, R. (1995). Subaltern and Bhadralok studies.
Sinha, S., & Bhattacharya, R. (1969). Bhadralok and Chhotolok in a rural area of West Bengal. Sociological bulletin, 18(1), 50-66.
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