BJP's Political Gambits in West Bengal: Wrestling with Netaji and Gandhi's Legacy

Political parties often take advantage of historical figures to secure political gains. Northern Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recently targeted the legacy of Subhash Chandra Bose to gain an upper hand in the upcoming West Bengal elections. This move has stirred debates and raised questions about the Election Commission's response or silence on this issue.

Netaji and RSS: A Fractional Legacy

Subhash Chandra Bose, commonly known as Netaji (Leader), is held in high esteem by Bengali residents, especially in West Bengal. He is a symbol of freedom and resistance against British rule. However, BJP is attempting to leverage Netaji's legacy for political gains. Their recent claims suggest that Netaji acted on Savarkar's advice to form a pact with the Axis powers, undermining Netaji's independent stance and integrity. These claims are further aimed at drawing parallels between Savarkar and Bose, which is highly ridiculous. Savarkar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is also considered a traitor for surrendering to the British by submitting a mercy petition.

Hinduizing History for Political Advantages

BJP's history of a double stance on Mahatma Gandhi is also quite interesting. Despite being respectful about Gandhi's principle of tolerance and seva dharma, the party unofficially shows disrespect through their actions. They have pushed for the removal of Gandhi statues and the dismantling of the national holiday on October 2nd, which marks Gandhi's birthday. These actions are part of an opportunistic strategy to enjoy the benefits of being both Gandhi hater and Gandhi admirer.

BJP's actions on Netaji and Gandhi reflect a broader trend of hijacking and twisting historical icons for political gains. This includes attempting to associate Savarkar with Netaji and drawing unfavorable comparisons between the two. BJP's actions are not merely a historical revision but a political gambit to gain favor among certain voter groups.

The Role of the Election Commission

The Election Commission of India (EC) plays a crucial yet limited role in elections. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that elections are held freely and fairly. The commission lacks the authority to make judgments on historical distortions or other contentious issues, unlike the Supreme Court. Due to its limited scope, the EC is unable to address these broader historical and political issues.

While the EC does not have the power to directly counter such propaganda, their role is significant in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. However, given that the commissioners are often political appointees, their ability to act independently is compromised. This means that unless such actions lead to law and order problems or offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the commission is unlikely to take any substantial action.

Ultimately, the responsibility falls on academics, intellectuals, and the general public to counter such propaganda and hold political parties accountable for their actions. As the political climate continues to evolve, so too will the strategies used by political parties to leverage historical figures.