Social Values in West Bengal are on the decline

There’s no reason, like an old man; to needlessly share the view that everything old was good and everything in the present is bad. Such a predetermined obsession has start prevailing as people often view the past through a nostalgic lens. We need to judge the social values in West Bengal in terms of the changes that have become obvious due to change of time period and the contemporary evidences. While the world is racing ahead a jet-neck speed; it must cause a radical breakdown of traditional structures, giving space to the emerging values and methods.

For instance, the traditional postcards and inland letters have gradually been replaced by modern electronic media such as WhatsApp and email.

It is better to see it as a continuous transition phase with the evolution of technology marvels.

When the entire world has been continuously experiencing a paradigm shift, West Bengal cannot keep itself aloof.  Amid the widespread outcry over social decline; let us turn our attention away from the clamor and try to assess the real situation.

West Bengal boasts a rich legacy as a cradle of cultural renaissance, literary excellence, artistic expression, and progressive thinking.

This is a state of Vidyasagar, Rammohan, Rabindranath Tagore. Subhas Chandra Bose, Surya Sen, Binoy, Badol, Dinesh, Khudiram are a few names of the great freedom fighters; that make us proud even today. So, if we compare it with the glamour of the past, today it may seem like a barren state.

Film Industry in West Bengal

If we look into the film industry, the creativity and innovation of Satyajit Roy or Mrinal Sen have been battered by the politically subservient figures like Arindam Sil. When the will bends to please the throne, the gates of creation remain unopened. As a consequence, the film industry is simply struggling. Political interference and pressure from a few dominant production houses have further worsened the situation. Instead of fresh ideas, we now witness repeated strikes and agitations.

Even the inclusion of famous actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty in some of Dev’s films have raised blatant criticism of Trinamool spokesman.

When the ruler seeks absolute control by weaving politics into the very fabric of the intellectual sphere, decline becomes inevitable; the people of West Bengal remain silent spectator. If film becomes an indicator of contemporary social values, it’s on the decline. Instead of Shaping Perceptions and Behaviour, the films are valiantly attempting to dig out the past imaginary devils or reiterating the monolithic stories of Suppression of the wicked, and harmony among the virtuous. West Bengal, in the recent past has hardly witnessed a new dawn with films like Nayak, Mahanagar, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Chotushkone, Belaseshe or Adalat o ekti meye.

Social Values through Education

The very idea that education is the backbone of a nation has now been buried in West Bengal. Instead of maintaining a serene atmosphere, it has become a place for conflict, chaos, distrust, and political interference. The teachers are busy counting Midday Meal provisions today instead of focusing on lessons. Tragically, instead of being moral guides, they are now accused of selling exam papers or taking bribes to inflate scores. Moreover, the expulsion order of around 26000 teachers and non-teaching staff members by the Apex Court has become the eye opener of intuitional fraudulency.  The national and international ranking of West Bengal has been gradually deteriorating. Even the ranking of Calcutta University in the national level is on the decline.

That’s why the news of D’Lit award to Mamata Banerjee by one Japanese University, called Okayama University becomes the headlines. Notably, Okayama doesn’t rank anywhere nearby the rankings of Calcutta or Jadavpur.

The appalling condition of the state becomes evident, by looking at reports, which clearly indicates that a large section of educated youths is migrating out for Higher Education. The unnecessary delay in the admission for the Graduation has compelled a lot students had to venture out in private universities or seeking admissions in other states.  We can’t forget the famous quote of Nelson Mandela, “You don’t need missiles to destroy a nation, just ruin its education system”.

Politics and its social values

If we turn to the politics, it’s hard to distinguish between politics and corruption, as they are so intermingled. Top notch politicians are alleged to be corrupted and they are under the rudder of the Investigation agencies. Some of them had to go to jail also. West Bengal has witnessed Politicization of Society even previously, but such allegations of corruptions have never taken places here. Mamata Banerjee with her impassioned rhetoric might make the crowd on its feet, but question arises about its future. Today, political violence, groupism, criminality, communalism have become so evident, that people fear. The state has never seen such polarization in politics.

The judgement of 13^th November, 2025, related to Mukul Roy case is a revolution in respect of malpractices against Anti-Defection Law. The rule of counsel, Reward, punishment and discord in authoritarian politics to make it a zero-opposition state may cease to exist.

Some unknown factors have kept the intellectuals completely silent even after notorious incidents. A lot of them had been highly vocal in 2009-2011 period to raise voices against the-then rulers. Long-term economic decline and deindustrialization have worsened today due to the land policy of the current regime.   The loan burden has been increasing by leaps and bounds. Moreover, the dreaded intention to hinder the Central Government social beneficiary schemes has become the final nail in the coffin.

Other Aspects of Social Values

The moral standards of the 1960s are not desirable benchmarks for 2025. However, contemporary family relationships and bonds are now subject to intense scrutiny. We no longer adhere to a rigid ideology where juniors must abruptly drop cigarettes upon encountering seniors. Yet, one might still expect a basic level of deference, such as a drunk teenager hesitating to present themselves before older relatives.

We are not opposed to social freedom, but the frequent occurrence of extramarital affairs is a justifiable cause for concern.

Moreover, the children often become the victims of such an undesirable events and they are often to face the wrath of the society. Similarly, the increasing trend of children viewing their parents as a burden and attempting to place them in old-age homes is genuinely alarming. The rise of the “me first” generation and the pervasive influence of social media have diminished social interaction within the home, making even minimal connection difficult. Regardless of these shifts, we cannot passively accept such corrosive behaviors under the guise of modernization. These developments necessitate a critical examination and strong condemnation.

As a result, the current situation is so appalling that we need to live in our past and cherish the nostalgia of Bengal’s rich historical legacy.