Secularism in India

India is a secular country, which reinforces the equality among religions and castes. Unfortunately, West Bengal has been showing a naked privilege for the minorities with a great expectation; Minority Appeasement policy should benefit their vote share. The Muslim Vote bank is very important for Mamata Banerjee.

We live in such a country that witnessed the ex-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru did not attend the inauguration of the rebuilt Somnath Temple in 1951. The reason was that a secular state should not associate itself with a religious event.

On the other hand, we notice Mamata Banerjee to be present in the ID with Fez hat. Additionally, her desperation to balance the counter polarization has forced her to  remain in the epicenter  of the Durga Puja Carnival.  Furthermore, there are allegations that Mamata Banerjee and her government has been constantly encouraging Muslim appeasing policy in the state. Hence, they get their unanimous support in the EVM.

Mamata’s minority appeasement

Another key point, today look at the top extortionist of the state or the local goons one can find a sizeable number of Muslim names among them. Further, Shahzahan, Zahangir, JCB (Tajmul Islam) are somehow more notorious criminals.  Thus, they are instrumental in gathering votes for the rulers.

Besides, the news reports allege that the ruling party often shields the some criminals and the police action remains inadequate for such Muslim appeasing policy.  The Muslim Vote bank is so dear to Mamata Banerjee. Similarly, even traffic police hardly stops or files a case against one, who wears a Fez cap.  The administration also remains silent against them.

Moreover, with the diminishing law and order situation and Muslim appeasing mentality of the state, some criminals have found Bengal safer than Bangladesh. Whether its Noor or Hashem Ali Mallik, they stay peacefully in Dunlop and Tehatta peacefully over the years.

Minority Appeasement Tradition

Ironically, critics allege that even the left used to behave in a pro-Muslim manner, but they could administer with a balance, not by shameless Muslim appeasing method.  There are allegations that the left front Government allowed the illegal immigrants just for their interest of Muslim vote bank. The left front Government and the CPM party cadres used to refrain from any such direct religious activities citing concerns about their party lines.

In the wake of the 9/11 attacks and subsequent global security debates, Buddhadev Bhattacharya had a detailed meeting with the then Home Minister Lalkrishna Advani. After his return to Kokata, he suggested that some unregulated madrasas mainly in border area were becoming breeding grounds for Islamic fundamentalism. His statements sparked outrage within the Muslim community and Buddhadev had to backtrack.

Mamata’s Governance

Today, raising such concerns is almost politically taboo. The recent attack on tribal leader and BJP MP Khagen Murmu should have prompted unequivocal condemnation. Instead addressing it decisively, Mamata Banerjee offered a tepid rationalization: “People have lost homes and loved ones in this disaster. In such circumstances, if convoys of 10-12 cars enter the area, there may be reactions,” reported by The Telegraph. One wonders if the same logic would apply had the perpetrators belonged to a different demographic.

This is not a call to marginalize any community, it is a plea for the return of balance. True secularism is not selective silence. It does not mean privileging one group under the guise of protection while neglecting the rights of others. Mamata Banerjee should refrain her blind indulgence for the shake of Muslim Vote bank. West Bengal deserves a governance model that safeguards all its citizens equally, not one that plays favorites at the cost of justice and law.

The question is no longer whether minority appeasement exists in the state. Rather, it is whether the line between inclusion and indulgence has already been crossed. And if so, who will redraw it?