By Omkar Dattatray
As a common man and a writer having commonsense all that I understand is the situation, prevailing in West Bengal, is a fit case for President’s rule as the state government has been consistently failed to control the communally charged mindset of a section of the society and to secure the lives of the people. So, the West Bengal governor who paid a visit to the communally affected places should without any wait recommend presidents rule for West Bengal. The law and order machinery has broken down and there is internal disturbances in the state and the life, limb and honor of the citizens of West Bengal is most insecure as there were planned attacks on the Hindus in many places in Murishedabad district and the people were forced to migrate to camps and the situation in the state is much akin to the situation once witnessed in Kashmir in 1990 where from the Hindus were forced to desert their homes and hearths and they had become refugees in their own country.
Same situation should not be allowed to show its ugly face in far off state of West Bengal. The Hindus in particular are feeling a sense of insecurity in West Bengal. There have been targeted attacks on Hindus, their properties; the honor and dignity of their womenfolk. Under the pretext of protest and opposition to recently passed Waqf Amendment Act by the parliament, some pseudo secular parties of the country such as Congress, Samajwadi Party-SP, TMC, Owasi’s AIMIM and some Muslim organizations are inciting and instigating common Muslims to resort to violence under the garb and guise of protesting against the Waqf Law. One wonders why some radicalized and fanatic Muslim organizations are fomenting troubles, riots, loot in some parts of the country and even in Murshidabad district have resorted to rape of the women belonging to Hindu community. In the state of West Bengal, there is absolute fear and insecurity not only among the Hindu population but the women in the state are afraid and are helpless .There is anarchy and chaos and confusion among the citizens especially among the peace loving Hindus and the women across the state are feeling most unsecure. In 2024, there were cases of violence and atrocities on women in Sandashkhali and there was the hand and role of the TMC goons in the violence there. There were many deaths also but the TMC government of Mamata Banarjee seemed unconcerned and unmoved by the organized crime, loot, arson and loss of innocent lives. But the central government then hesitated to impose presidential rule in the state.
This time there are planned attacks on Hindu lives and properties at various places across the state of West Bengal and the attacks are against the Hindus and hundreds of Hindus have fled their homes and hearths in Murishaidabad district and at other places in the state. TMC government of the state has completely failed to protect the lives and properties of the people in general and Hindus in particular. There is complete breakdown of law and order machinery in West Bengal and there is internal disturbance which warrants the imposition of presidential /governors rule in the state so that there is rule of law and the citizens and vulnerable Hindu population will feel a sense of security. Therefore, West Bengal state at present is a fit and strong case for the imposition of central rule through governor to save the citizens life, limb and dignity. Constitution of India empowers the president of India under the article 356 to impose presidential/governor rule in any part of the country if the president is satisfied that the governance is not being carried lawfully and there is breakdown of law and order machinery in any state/UT of India and in such a case president can impose central rule or governors rule.
Many Hindu organizations, VHP and the BJP and its West Bengal president Suvendu Adhikari are demanding president rule in the state so that the people in general and Hindus in particular feel a sense of security and the rule of law is established in the state. It is unfortunate and unprecedented as well that the Hindus are deserting their houses and are forced to take refuge in camps. The state government has failed to establish peace, law and order and the president should immediately impose Governor’s rule in the state as per the provisions of article 356 of the constitution. One fails to understand as to why the president/central government hesitates to impose presidential/governors rule in the state and bring back semblance of law and order in the state. It is very sad and disturbing that under the guise of protesting against the central governments enactment of Waqf Amendment Act,the Hindus are being targeted and attacked under a well thought out plan and will the Muslim organizations, their self-styled leaders and the pseudo-secular political parties take the convenience of explaining why the fanatic element among Muslims are attacking, intimidating, harassing, killing Hindus, eroding the dignity of their womenfolk and heaping atrocities on them under the garb of protesting against the Waqf Amendment Act?
Again, will the Congress, SP, TMC, AIMIM and other Muslim organizations and their sympathizers explain, were the local Hindus in the infected area are responsible if the Waqf Amendment Act was passed by the Parliament?
The fact is that the two are totally different and then why have there been planned attacks on the lives, properties and dignity of Hindus in West Bengal. When there is internal disturbance in any part of the country or when there is a big law and order problem not under the control of the state government, the constitutional provision warrants the president to invoke article 356 and impose central rule in that state. So far as West Bengal is concerned, there is total breakdown of law and order machinery in the state and governance is not being carried on as per the law and the lives of the citizens are in danger. Thus, without further delay presidents should impose Governor’s rule in West Bengal so that people feel themselves secure.
Enough is enough; the governor who has toured the affected areas of the state particularly Murshidabad district should recommend central rule in the state and governor should make no delay in this regard and the president at the first opportunity should take prompt action. It is also important that CRPF, BSF and other central forces should be deployed in the affected areas in the state so that citizens feel a sense of security. High Court has also ordered the state government to deploy the central forces in the affected places which saw the ugly spectacle of attacks on Hindus. While the situation in the state is worsening with each passing day and the best course is the president should restore the supremacy of law in the state. The chief minister of the state is challenging the federal and unitary spirit of the country and its constitution and she has threatened that her government will not implement Waqf Amedment Act in the state and this way she is challenging the parliament and the constitution. She needs to be reined in the interest of peace and national security.
(The writer is a freelance columnist and a social activist) (The views expressed in the Article are his own)
