-Abhishek Vij
India is heralded as the largest democracy and a peaceloving nation. The greatness of this democracy lies in the fact that power changes here through elections, driven by public opinion. Recently, elections were held in five legislative assemblies across the country. Mamata Banerjee held the Chief Ministership of West Bengal for 15 years, but this time, the BJP, led by Suvendu Adhikari, decisively defeated Mamata Banerjee. The BJP secured a clear majority, while Mamata Banerjee’s party, the Trinamool Congress, suffered a defeat. The BJP created history by winning over 200 seats in West Bengal. However, what is happening now, even before the BJP government comes to power, is not welcome, as violence has become rampant. Elections in Bengal were conducted peacefully due to the presence of heavy central forces, but why is violence now unfolding in the presence of those same forces? Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to incoming Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, was murdered. The murder was so well-planned that the killers have not been caught, and it is being said that they have crossed the border. While the new government is preparing to be sworn in, some political party workers are resorting to violence in Howrah and other places. Law enforcement and administrators should assume their responsibilities now and calm the situation by dealing with those who are spreading terror and causing unrest through violence. Although Mamata Banerjee has refused to resign, the Governor has dissolved the previous Assembly. The new government under Suvendu Adhikari’s leadership must immediately create the same peaceful and development environment in Bengal that he promised to secure public support. There should be no place for violence in politics, and if violent elements spread terror anywhere, they should be suppressed. Looking back a little before Chandranath Rath’s murder, three other close associates of Suvendu Adhikari have also died accidentally in the past 13 years. In 2013, when Suvendu was in the Trinamool Congress, his personal assistant Pradeep Jha died, but the death was declared normal after investigation. Subsequently, in 2018, his PSO Shubhavrat Chakraborty was found dead. After a police investigation, Shubhavrat’s death was ruled a suicide. In 2021, another personal assistant of Suvendu, Pulak Lahiri, also died under unusual circumstances. We believe that the seriousness of the problem should not be minimized by linking crime with politics. Bomb blasts recently occurred in Jalandhar and Amritsar districts of Punjab. The Punjab Police Chief stated that these were the work of the ISI. The perpetrators should be immediately arrested and the issue should not be politicized. Apprehending the criminals should be the first priority. Elections are scheduled for Punjab early next year, so a completely peaceful environment is needed in Punjab. Terrorists are already fomenting unrest on the borders; police forces should be vigilant to suppress them, as elections in Punjab have always been peaceful. The current government, as well as the opposition parties, should have the responsibility to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted peacefully, and whatever the outcome, everyone should accept it with goodwill.