SANGH Parivar’s attempts to sow seeds of polarisation in West Bengal have elicited reactions from various quarters. RSS-VHP-BJP combine chose Ramnavami and Hanuman Jayanti to create tensions and disturb the environment. In many areas, they carried swords in religious processions. Instead of taking immediate steps, TMC leaders and activists joined them.Left and progressive secular sections of the state have taken the challenge of resisting communal forces. Numerous rallies, processions have been organised throughout the state to condemn the provocation of Sangh Parivar.

RSS-BJP has planned a massive expansion programme in West Bengal and communal polarisation is, as usual, the method they have chosen. In a latest attempt, Ramnavami festival has been organised politically with the Sangh backing. Viswa Hindu Parishad has decided to take lead and they have planned rallies throughout the state for five days. Rallies will be taken out in Kolkata too.Ramnavami is not a very big religious festival in Bengal, though it is observed in some quarters. But politicisation of the festival has led to huge campaign by Hindutva forces.

THE Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal has got exposed in Bhangar, where two persons were killed in police firing while they were protesting against forcible land acquisition. The bloodshed came after months of protest by villagers in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas. From 2013, multi crop agricultural lands were forcibly acquired for a power grid station. Moreover the land loot was organised by mafias led by the ruling party leaders. Arabaul Islam, the notorious TMC gangster in the area, is the main culprit behind this land grab and ousting of peasants without compensation.

“I have never imagined that we have to appeal for communal amity in Bengal, which was regarded as outpost of peoples’ unity. Entire country revered Jyoti Basu’s Bengal as the example of communal harmony.”CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed his anguish in these words while addressing a public meeting in Dhulagarh in Howrah district.Dhulagarh has been affected by serious communal strife, instigated by the TMC and the BJP. Many homes, shops were destroyed or burnt; families attacked, people forced to flee.

WHILE long queues wait outside banks and ATMs in Kolkata, thousands marched demanding their lost money in chit funds. West Bengal chief minister’s histrionics on demonetisation issue cannot erase the truth that her party was the biggest beneficiary of illegal chit funds in the state. Nearly 20 lakh people lost their hard earned money to cheating by companies like Saradha and Rosevalley.