“How Sandeshkhali episode captures the grim reality of Bengal’s political culture”, Swarajyamag, February 24, 2024:
“From a reign of terror to extortion, no allegation is new to the politics of West Bengal for the last 50 years. From the Congress party in the early 1970s to the 34 years of leftist rule and now Trinamool Congress (TMC), the political culture has remained a constant.
The allegations of ‘sextortion’ by Trinamool leaders, as raised by the poor women of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas, not far from Kolkata, is a new addition to this list, and is consequential.
Anyone who has lived in the state for long knows that, except in brief phases, democracy here has been mostly absent or managed. Peace was always purchased against subservience to the ruling party. Criticism, even in the most democratic form, was costly…..”
Read the full article at Swarajyamag.com
