Students and Alumni from educational institutions across the country issued a common statement condemning the post-poll violence in West Bengal.
Ever since the declaration of the results of the state assembly elections on Sunday (May 2, 2021), West Bengal has witnessed several events of violence. According to the latest reports, 14 people had lost their lives in political violence. All major political parties in the state have claimed that their members and followers are among those who died. The leaders also blamed their opposing parties as responsible for the violence. Large-scale circulation of fake news is also reported to be adding to the spread of violence in the state.
The statement states that the students are exasperated and agonised by the violence in West Bengal which is alleged to be ‘politically motivated’ and ‘state sponsored’. The students also alleged that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule has unleashed a ‘Reign of Terror’ in the state.
The statement which talks in an unequivocal tone places all the blame for the spread of violence on the TMC and the Chief Minister. It is alleged that people with opposing political views had been targeted and attacked by the TMC cadre in the state and such violence increased manifolds after the announcements of the election results. It is further stated that:
“The goons have stooped to a new low, attacking student organisations, committing sexual violence against women, and indulging in loot & plunder in broad daylight. In an attempt to trample and suppress the young voices of opposition, the goons have targeted student organizations by attacking young student activists and ransacking their homes and offices. The students and their families from the opposite political spectrum are compelled to live in constant fear, apprehending attacks on life and property.”
The students in the statement argue that the curbing of opposing voices through violence has become a day-to-day affair in the state which will be antithetical to the principles of democracy. The statement states that:
“It is imperative for the incumbent state government to acknowledge the fact that the Rule of Law is supreme, in a constitutional democratic setup like ours. The state government has completely forgotten that dissent is the safety valve of democracy.”
The statement also blames the state law and order machinery for being a mute spectator to the violence. It alleges that the state machinery instead of proactively is misusing its resources to curb the reporting and aiding the criminals.
The violence which comes at a time when the whole nation is fighting against the second wave of Covid-19 infections is referred to as a ‘nightmare’ in the statement.
The statement which was signed by 1568 students from educational institutions across the country condemned the violence and called for intervention by constitutional authorities to save the life and property of the common people of West Bengal.
