Invoking history

The Prime Minister’s recent remarks in West Bengal, suggesting that the State is now “free of shackles” and invoking a selective interpretation of Bengal’s history, deserve closer scrutiny. Political leaders are entitled to celebrate electoral victories, but they must exercise greater responsibility when referring to historical events that shaped the nation.

Historical records show that the proposal for an independent and undivided Bengal was advanced by leaders such as Sarat Chandra Bose and Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. The Congress leadership, however, did not endorse the idea of a sovereign United Bengal and ultimately supported the partition of Bengal in view of the prevailing political circumstances and communal realities of the time. To portray the Congress as having actively sought to merge the entirety of Bengal into Pakistan is therefore historically inaccurate. More importantly, one may disagree with the Congress on numerous issues, but it cannot be denied that the party played a central role in India’s freedom struggle.

What is particularly disappointing is the continued reliance on divisive historical rhetoric by those occupying the highest constitutional offices. After more than a decade in power, citizens reasonably expect discussions on employment, industrial growth, public health, education, environmental challenges, energy security, and inflation.

Aditya Das,

Bhowali, Uttarakhand

Deflect, repeat

Passing the buck seems to be the mantra of the present age. If employment cannot be generated, brand the unemployed as “cockroaches”.

If people within the system, driven by greed, leak National Eligibility cum Entrance Test papers, ban the messaging app Telegram. If the nation’s foreign relations deteriorate, blame Jawaharlal Nehru.

The government of the day appears to have an excuse for every political manoeuvre undertaken to capture power in States that were once governed by Opposition parties, be it Delhi, West Bengal, Maharashtra or Goa. The moot question, however, remains: can all the people be fooled all the time?

P.R. Ravinder,

Hyderabad