When was the last time a sitting Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio for the home ministry responsible for law and order, led a protest march over the deteriorating law and order situation in their state? This exactly is what the CM of Bengal Mamata Banerjee did. She not only held a march but also demanded swift justice for the female doctor who was raped and murdered in a state government run hospital on 9th August.
If ever there was a fit case for President’s Rule, Bengal fits the bill perfectly. In no other state does post poll violence is part of the ruling party’s strategy to force its opponents into submission. Bengal was always known for its aggressive brand of politics, but under Mamata Banerjee it has reached a new low. The Trinamool Congress cadres act as a law unto themselves, and even the police are afraid of the ruling party’s hooligans
Many state governments are accused of appeasing a particular community, but in Bengal, appeasement has taken an entirely different form. Those involved in terrorist activities are assured of kid-glove treatment to avoid antagonizing a particular community. National security be damned.
It was not long ago that the incident in Sandeshkhali was brought to the nation’s attention. Sandeshkhali a small island at the mouth of Sunderban in West Bengal was in the news for the alleged atrocities perpetrated against women by local Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates. Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates used to call women in their homes hold them for a day and commit rape. Such was their fear amongst the locals that no one dared raise any voice against them and the police and the local administration dare not take any action against them as he was close to the ruling dispensation.
This continued for a long time before it made national headlines. The state government who was in the know did not think prudent to protect the dignity and honour of women as Sheikh Shahjahan belonged to a particular community, and even if he hadn’t, being close to the ruling party was enough to protect the perpetrators who do not hesitate to outrage the modesty of women.”
President’s rule is imposed when the Central government thinks that there is there is Breakdown of Constitutional Machinery. An important aspect of breakdown of Constitutional Machinery is severe breakdown in law and order, and when a Chief Minister who has been ruling for 13 years has to ask for justice then it can be understood what the situation of law and order in Bengal is.
