Bengal Violence and Indian Federation

Bengal, one of the India's most prosperous state once, is in headlines for all the wrong reasons for last few months. Violence during voting for State assembly elections, low level of politics and political discourse by state leadership and utter disregard for constitutional federalism, is what Bengal is known for in last few months.  This has not only brought bad name for the state bur had set bad precedents for other states also. 

This all begin with political opposition and protest against Demonetization, organizing Dharnas by sitting state CM in front of RBI, then stopping central investigation agency CBI from investigation against a top level police officer in state, immediately the trend was picked up by other states. This blot on federal structure of India didn't stop there, it was also perpetuated in state assembly elections. Even Prime Minister of India was called an outsider without any remorse. All these happenings have serious consequences upon the federal structure of the country in the days to come. These seeds of regionalism will germinate quickly if not pinned immediately. 

Post assembly election counting of votes, violence by the supporters of winning party has seen unprecedented brutality  against poor innocent voters including women voters who suffered violence against body. 

The only mistake committed by such poor innocent people was that they believe in a political party which promised them prosperity and development in the state. Unfortunately, when such voters were facing violence of such gravity nobody came to their rescue. This has not only left a lasting impression on their hearts and mind, that constitution and democracy are all sham and illusive concepts but also concretised the bad politics in the state. When nobody from the constitutional book of responsibility took cognizance of atrocities against innocent voters, including Union Government, Judiciary and civil society, such victims are left with no option than to accept the preparators of crimes as their masters. This should not have been allowed, this has shaken the very constitutional foundation of this great nation. The right thing to do now, to save the public faith and confidence in the constitution is a report of failure of constitutional machinery in the state as per the provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution, with recommendation of state emergency, from the Hon'ble Governor of the State. No doubt it is almost impossible that any such report will reach its logical end in the prevailing circumstance, a silent spectator like Judiciary, but a strong single would have been sent to the local government and other states watching  misshapenning in the state. This would also help rebuilding confidence among the victims of the crime, particularly among those who have to fled to neighbouring state of Assam to take refuse. All other measures would leave a permanent scar on the heart and mind of the victims of poll violence. this would also leave a permanant scar on constitutional mandate of cooperative federalism in India.