In the wake of escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, a call for peace by Left parties in Kolkata has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) West Bengal unit. The CPI(M)'s Biman Bose and Mohammed Salim, invoking Rabindranath Tagore's advocacy for peace and humanitarianism, urged de-escalation and negotiation. However, the BJP has strongly condemned this stance, accusing the Left of hypocrisy and questioning their patriotism.
On the 165th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, CPI(M) leaders Biman Bose and Mohammed Salim paid their respects at Jorasanko, Tagore's Kolkata residence, and spoke out against escalating the military tension into a full-blown war. Bose stated that while the Indian Army's initial response to the militant attack in Kashmir was appropriate, negotiation and diplomacy were now essential. Salim emphasized the disproportionate suffering of ordinary people along the borders due to armed clashes and highlighted Tagore's message of humanity. The All India Students' Association (AISA), the student wing of CPI(ML) Liberation, also organized a demonstration in Kolkata, advocating for diplomatic solutions to address terrorism.
The West Bengal BJP president, Sukanta Majumdar, criticized the Left, alleging a "duality" in their stance. He claimed that while Left leaders expressed support for the Indian Army at an all-party meeting, some were simultaneously opposing the army and acting like revolutionaries. Majumdar accused them of following in the footsteps of jailed student activist Umar Khalid. Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, also attacked the Left, accusing them of mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media instead of condemning attacks on Hindu tourists. Adhikari further alleged that the Left is quick to protest when bombs are dropped on Palestine, implying a bias in their concerns. He went so far as to say that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal in 2026, they would remove Leftists from Jadavpur University and "throw them in Pakistan".
These accusations reflect a broader trend of political polarization in West Bengal, with the BJP and Left parties often at odds. Recent events, such as protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act and allegations of forced removal of saffron flags, have further heightened tensions. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has also accused the BJP of inciting unrest and spreading misinformation in the state, calling for peace and unity among citizens.
The context of these political clashes is the heightened military tension between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. India retaliated with strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, leading to further escalation and border closures. Several states, including West Bengal, have taken precautionary measures such as school closures and blackouts in border districts.
Amidst this tense environment, the BJP's strong criticism of the Left's peace appeal underscores the deep divisions in West Bengal's political landscape. The BJP appears to be taking a firm stance on national security, while the Left is emphasizing the need for de-escalation and diplomacy, creating a stark contrast in their approaches to the ongoing crisis.
