BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
The tragic incident of the gang rape and brutal murder of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital has sent shockwaves across the nation. It has ignited widespread protests and brought serious concerns about safety within medical institutions to the forefront. In response to this horrific crime, politicians from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have demanded the resignation of West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. They argue that her government has failed to ensure the safety of women in the state. However, this demand raises questions about the underlying political motivations and the selective outrage exhibited by the BJP, especially in light of their silence on similar or worse incidents in BJP-ruled states.
The BJP’s call for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation stems from the brutal nature of the crime and the perception that law and order in West Bengal have deteriorated under her leadership. The BJP has seized this moment to criticize Banerjee’s administration, suggesting that the incident is a result of the state’s failure to protect its citizens, particularly women. They argue that such an incident occurring in a medical institution a place that should be a sanctuary of safety and care indicates a deeper rot within the governance structure of the state.
The case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation, a move that some see as necessary for ensuring justice, while others view it as part of a political strategy to discredit Mamata Banerjee’s government. The BJP’s demands for Banerjee’s resignation, while ostensibly rooted in concern for law and order, also appear to be part of a broader strategy to weaken one of the party’s most formidable opponents.
The BJP’s push for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation can be seen as a political drama aimed at tarnishing her image. Banerjee has been a relentless critic of the BJP and its policies, often bringing the party to its toes on various fronts. By demanding her resignation, the BJP is not only attempting to capitalize on public outrage but also trying to undermine a leader who has consistently challenged their dominance.
This raises the question of selective outrage. While the BJP is vocal about incidents in non-BJP states like West Bengal, their silence on the ongoing violence in Manipur, a state governed by the BJP speaks volumes. Manipur has been engulfed in violence for over a year, with numerous reports of horrific crimes, including the merciless beating and assassination of a young woman, and viral videos showing militants assaulting and shooting women. Despite these atrocities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have largely remained silent, failing to visit the state or constitute a judicial inquiry into the violence.
The double standards of the BJP become evident when comparing their response to crimes in West Bengal with their response to crimes in BJP-ruled states. When a crime occurs in a non-BJP state, the party is quick to demand resignations, launch protests, and call for judicial interventions. However, when similar or worse crimes occur in states under their own governance, there is a deafening silence. This selective outrage undermines the BJP’s credibility and suggests that their demands are more about political gain than genuine concern for justice.
If the BJP is truly concerned about the safety and well-being of citizens, they should apply the same standards of accountability to their leaders as they do to those in opposition-ruled states. The ongoing violence in Manipur, which has been condemned by international media and has sparked uproar in Parliament, demands immediate action. The Prime Minister and Home Minister should be held accountable for their inaction and silence on this issue, just as they demand accountability from Mamata Banerjee.
While the demand for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation in the wake of the horrific crime in Kolkata may be seen as a call for justice, it also appears to be a calculated political move by the BJP. The party’s selective outrage and silence on similar or worse incidents in BJP-ruled states highlight the need for a more consistent and principled approach to governance and accountability across the country.
