NEW DELHI: A wave of violent clashes erupted during local polls in West Bengal, India, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals and leaving dozens more injured on Saturday. The state of West Bengal is notorious for political violence during election campaigns, and this incident adds to the grim statistics.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been striving to establish a foothold in West Bengal, aims to expand its influence beyond its traditional Hindi-speaking northern strongholds. The ongoing municipal elections have witnessed intense competition, with over 200,000 candidates vying for leadership positions in the state that boasts a population of 104 million.
Jawed Shamim, the additional director general of West Bengal’s police force, confirmed the casualties, stating, “Seven people have been killed and dozens wounded in poll-related violence in different villages across the state.” According to an anonymous police official, five of the deceased were affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress party, while the other two were associated with the BJP and West Bengal’s Communist Party of India (Marxist).
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Local broadcasters aired disturbing footage showing rival party workers wielding batons and instances of ballot boxes being snatched and set ablaze outside polling stations. In response to the escalating violence, a heavy security presence, including paramilitary troops, was deployed to maintain order at numerous voting booths. The police also reported the seizure of over 200 crude bombs, commonly used in West Bengal elections to intimidate or harm voters, during the polls.
Political Leaders Accuse PM Modi of Sectarian Politics in West Bengal
Since 2011, West Bengal has been under the leadership of Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee, who defeated the Communist-led administration that had governed the state for the preceding three decades. Banerjee, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accused his Hindu nationalist BJP of attempting to introduce divisive sectarian politics into the state, which is home to a significant Muslim minority. Prime Minister Modi, in turn, has criticized Banerjee’s administration for alleged widespread corruption.
However, the history of political violence in West Bengal predates these recent conflicts. For decades, police records have documented thousands of election-related murders. During the state elections in 2021, which saw a resounding victory for Trinamool but a strong BJP showing, activists from both parties fell victim to fatal shootings and brutal attacks. In some instances, the bodies of these activists were hung from trees as a tactic of intimidation.
The latest clashes serve as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted political tensions in India and the need for robust measures to ensure a peaceful electoral process. As the election continues, authorities face the critical task of restoring calm and preserving the democratic rights of the citizens of West Bengal.
