Marx, Mao And The Bhadralok – On West Bengal election violence

Source: The post is based on the article “Marx, Mao And The Bhadralok” published in The Times of India on 21^st June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Governance – Electoral Reforms

Relevance: concerns over violence in West Bengal during elections

News: The article highlights the concerns over violence in elections in West Bengal.

What are the concerns over elections in West Bengal?

West Bengal has witnessed large scale violence in the past elections.

The Supreme Court recently affirmed the Calcutta High Court’s order to deploy central forces in all districts of West Bengal for the upcoming panchayat elections.

This highlights the grim situation of West Bengal that even in ordinary panchayat elections, there are chances of violence.

Due to this fear, a significant number of panchayat seats in West Bengal (34% in 2018) were won without opposition.

What are the probable reasons for violence in West Bengal?

The war in the 1970s between the Maoists and CPI(M) is frequently blamed for the trend of violence in West Bengal, which may be somewhat correct.

However, in the later stages, Marx and Engels advocated for peaceful transitions, to socialism after witnessing European elections. But the left in India, had difficulty in embracing it, due to the influence of Stalin and Mao. The violence, in the name of class struggle, attracted a section of leftists in Bengal, not Marx’s Capital.

Also, Bengal had favored violent overthrow of colonial rule. It resulted into many executions of participants by British.

What has been the political history of violence in West Bengal?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had a large support from the people of West Bengal and neither Mahatma Gandhi nor Nehru could match Bose’s charisma in West Bengal.

Gandhi’s role in denying Bose the Congress presidency made a significant section of Bengali opinion cynical of the politics of non-violence. Nehru’s lack of support for Bose further increased this sentiment.

Therefore, when Bose broke away from congress to form the Azad Hind Fauj, he was widely cheered in Bengal for his bravery and audacity. When he died, it was seen as an extension of the many Bengalis who were executed by the British.

Therefore, throughout history, from the time of freedom fighters to figures like Bose and the Maoists, a section of Bengalis has embraced militancy.