Samprikta Bose
IN the heart of West Bengal, the Ganga River is not merely eroding its banks; it is tearing at the very fabric of society. This is not just a natural disaster; it is a profound betrayal of the people by their governments. In the districts of Malda and Murshidabad, entire villages are being swallowed by the river's merciless current, a relentless tide of destruction that has left thousands of families utterly destitute. Throughout the monsoon season, the people of India have witnessed nature's fury, with Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand experiencing devastating flash floods. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and more recently, Punjab, Delhi, and Gujarat have also been grappling with severe flooding. The extent of the damage and loss of life in these states offers a stark reminder of the dire consequences of exploiting nature indiscriminately.
For nearly five decades, particularly since the construction of the Farakka Barrage, the lives of people in Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal have been made unbearable due to the relentless erosion by the Ganges River. While it is natural for a river to erode one bank and build up another, the left bank of Malda and the right bank of Murshidabad have been continuously eroding for an extended period. This incessant erosion has led to homes, schools, temples, mosques, health centers, and vast tracts of agricultural land in 7 out of 15 blocks in Malda and 7 blocks in Murshidabad being swallowed by the Ganges. Faced with this catastrophic disaster, the cries of despair, pain, and muffled sobs of the people have increased. They are forced to rebuild their settlements multiple times, uprooting their lives from one village to another, losing their environment and familiar neighbours.
The villages of Mahananda Tola and Bilaimari in Ratua-1 block are at risk of being wiped out within a few years due to severe erosion. In Bhutni Char, the Kosi River (locally known) connects the Ganga and Fulhar rivers. The distance between these two rivers, which was approximately 2 kilometers 20 years ago (according to satellite maps), has now reduced to just 1000 meters. The main current of the Ganga is steadily moving towards the Fulhar. If the Ganga merges with the Fulhar, the excess water will flow into the Mahananda River via Kalindri. This could lead to annual flooding in Malda city and several other blocks. Downstream from the Ganga, the right bank of Murshidabad district is experiencing extensive erosion, leading to significant changes in its landscape.
This human catastrophe is compounded by a devastating display of political apathy and alleged corruption. While the poor and working-class are losing everything –their homes, their farms, their very way of life – the central and state governments stand accused of a stunning dereliction of duty. Funds meant for erosion control, for the survival of these communities, are reportedly being diverted and plundered for personal gain. This is not just incompetence; it is a moral failure of the highest order.
SILENT BETRAYAL
CPI (M) state secretary Mohammad Salim’s recent press conference in Siliguri was more than a report; it was an indictment. "The failure, incompetence, and corruption of both the central and state governments are the primary reasons for the people's suffering," Salim declared, highlighting the deafening silence from both administrations. This silence is not born out of ignorance; it is a calculated indifference that has left residents in a state of utter despair.
The accusations are clear: the central government is starving the state of necessary funds, and the state government is, in turn, systematically "plundering" what little is made available. He called on the people: "To save the Ganga River, everyone must unite. We must intensify the struggle for the survival of the poor, and simultaneously, we must continue the movement to save our rivers."
The Farakka Barrage, once a symbol of progress, has become a monument to broken promises. Salim reminded the public that the central government had once pledged to maintain a 40-kilometer stretch of the riverbank on both sides. Yet, today, that commitment has allegedly shrunk to a mere 8 to 12 kilometers. This is not just a policy change; it is a retreat from responsibility, a direct cause of the suffering we see today.
The state government's response – spending millions on flimsy sand dams that wash away with the first major current – is a cynical joke at the expense of its own people. It is a clear example of money being wasted, if not outright stolen, under the guise of temporary relief.
Even the much-vaunted "Namami Gange" project, a programme designed to clean and protect the river, has reportedly failed to deliver as expected. Despite billions spent, the Ganga's navigability has diminished, its depth reduced, and its capacity to hold water compromised – all of which directly fuels the daily erosion. The situation is further aggravated by unchecked illegal sand mining and stone quarrying. The governments, Salim asserted, have "not taken responsibility for protecting the river and its banks by planting necessary trees."
SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE
The crisis on the Ganga is merely the most visible symptom of a deeper, more pervasive rot. According to Salim, a broader "looting" of public assets and a collapse of administrative systems are underway. He said the government land is being seized by powerful interests with the "connivance of the police, TMC, and even politicians who switch between TMC and BJP."
The government's priorities are fundamentally skewed. Millions are reportedly being showered on festive clubs, while public infrastructure crumbles and government employees go unpaid. This is not a government which solves problems; it is a government that creates them.
CPI (M)'s recent rally in Farakka, attended by a large crowd of rain-soaked but determined people, was a powerful show of unity. It was a clear message that the fight for survival will be waged under the red flag.
A delegation from the rally submitted a memorandum to the Farakka Barrage Project, demanding that the erosion be declared a national disaster and that both governments take joint responsibility for permanent rehabilitation. This is not a request; it is a demand for justice. The CPI (M) has made it clear: if their demands are not met, they will take this fight to Kolkata and Delhi. The struggle is long, but for the people of Malda and Murshidabad, it is their only hope.
