Bengal and the Bengali people are among the most precious of jewels within the firmament of India, which is a Union of States. India is not, it bears repeating, a federation, as claimed by some political leaders, but a union. Certainly each state, and indeed different parts of the same state, boast a vibrant and distinct culture. Coorg is a very beautiful part of Karnataka, and has its own dress, lifestyle, diet and broadly, even language. Which is why it is to be welcomed that political leaders in Karnataka have begun to recognize that Coorg deserves greater autonomy of its own, of course within the state rather than separately. At the same time, whatever be the variations, there needs to be respect for human rights and values that distinguish a stable society from a society in meltdown.
Unfortunately, judging by recent occurrences, it is becoming clearer that Bengal is entering on a trajectory such as which would have unfortunate consequences for its people, were such a path not abandoned by the Trinamool Congress and increasingly it would appear the party leader Mamata Banerjee. It is a matter of shame that a section of the authorities have sought to protect the brutal rapists and murderers of a lady doctor at the prestigious RG Kar Medical college and Hospital in Kolkata. The sooner all the perpetrators of such an unconscionable act be identified and punished, the better not only for women in India but women across the world.
Women need to feel safe in Bengal rather than live in fear of predatory men who appear to be roaming the streets with impunity as a consequence of their political affiliation. Chief Minister Banerjee, who was once justly famed as a dauntless fighter for the rights of women, needs to bring to justice the actual and not scapegoat perpetrators of the RG Kar incident and makes their identities known so as to warn individuals of the menace such persons represent. Should she fail to do so, she would shame her past and smudge her legacy permanently. The stain of the RG Kar incident would remain with Mamata Banerjee all her life, which is why she must set aside all other considerations and book the perpetrators, whose identities must be known to the authorities who are presently being held by Central agencies. Such agencies have a responsibility to the public to speedily identify the perpetrators and deliver justice. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee needs to act before the names of the rapists and murderers become known through other ways.
Meltdowns are caused by a failure of leadership, and exposing the guilty, all the guilty, is essential to establish that such a situation does not exist in Bengal. Hers is a state which was once the pride of India, and the Chief Minister needs to show that she has the will and the capability to impart justice rather than shield the perpetrators of the unconscionable act which took place in the RG Kar hospital to a dedicated and selfless lady doctor.
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