By Indrani Chakraborty
KOLKATA: CPI(ML)-Liberation, a constituent of the Left Front in West Bengal has taken a stronger line against the new BJP government in the state headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, compared to the leader of the LF CPI(M). The party is actively opposing the new BJP government through targeted legal challenges, grassroots demonstrations and strong statements condemning the attacks on the TMC workers.
While the CPI(ML)-L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya was unequivocal in condemning the mob attacks against the TMC national general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee as political vengeance and ruling party’s vendetta, the CPI(M) state secretary Md. Salim reacted by saying that this was due to the anger against Trinamool government and leaders. He then gave a twist to his statement by saying BJP might be doing it to keep TMC floating in the media. This was on the lines of Salim’s position that BJP and TMC were in cahoots. He coined the term Bijemool – a combination of BJP and TMC.
As against Md. Salim’s views, Dipankar Bhattacharya in his statement accused BJP of stifling opposition voices, citing ongoing political violence and denounced attacks on the opposition leaders of Trinamool, especially on Abhishek Banerjee. It can be mentioned that immediately after the results of Bengal elections were out and the BJP started attacking the TMC offices and workers, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee gave a proposal for an alliance of all political parties against the violence of the BJP. But all Left Front partners including the CPI(ML)-L rejected this proposal. They decided to carry on movements against the BJP policies on their own.
On May 19, the CPI(ML)-L filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the BJP-led state government’s decision to invoke the 1950 Animal Slaughter Control Act. The party termed the move—which restricted ritual livestock sacrifice and required veterinary certificates—an unconstitutional assault on religious freedom, food rights, and the livelihoods of marginalized communities.
Further on the night of May 30, CPI(ML) Liberation, alongside the CPI(M), AICCTU, and other Left forces, held demonstrations against the government’s bulldozer drives targeting poor vendors and residents at Uttarpara Railway Station.CPI(M) workers organized a number of demonstrations against the eviction of hawkers from Sealdah and Howrah stations. The railway authorities have stalled eviction process for the time being but the threat continues. CPI(M) along with other Left workers are keeping a vigil along with the hawkers. They are demanding suitable rehabilitation for the evicted hawkers if it takes place.
Condemnation of “Politics of Revenge”: General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya issued statements accusing the BJP of stifling opposition voices, citing ongoing political violence, and denouncing attacks on opposition leaders (such as TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee) as evidence of the ruling party’s vendetta.
Dipankar Bhattacharya stated that these incidents are not random but are instead part of a concerted effort by the BJP to silence dissent. He claimed that the ruling party is employing central agencies and inciting political violence to achieve its objectives. In response, Bhattacharya called upon all democratic entities to oppose what he termed as the BJP’s ‘politics of vendetta’.
During the ongoing violence in West Bengal, TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee faced an attack as he visited a family affected by post-poll violence in Sonarpur. The TMC alleged that this confrontation was orchestrated by the BJP to interrupt Banerjee’s engagement, accusing unidentified locals of partaking in the act.
CPIML Liberation, West Bengal on May 19 filed a PIL in Calcutta High Court seeking urgent judicial intervention to stop the order issued by the BJP Government invoking an outdated 1950 law to impose severe punitive restrictions on ritual sacrifice of livestock.
The party stated that this order is a direct assault on multiple constitutional and democratic rights. It targets the religious freedom of the Muslim community, the livelihoods of farmers and cattle traders, many of whom belong to the Hindu community, the right of citizens to eat according to their choice, and the rich culinary diversity of West Bengal.
The BJP led state government had recently announced the enforcement of the 1950 law to curb the slaughter of animals, including cows and buffaloes, unless certified by a veterinarian. The notification further stipulated that an animal may be considered fit for slaughter only if it is permanently incapacitated or above 14 years of age.
CPI(ML) Liberation said that such restrictions are punitive, unreasonable and designed to create fear among communities whose religious practices, food habits and livelihoods are linked with livestock trade and meat consumption. The move will directly hit farmers, small traders, butchers, transport workers and working people dependent on the livestock economy.
Traders from different communities have also raised strong objections to the government’s move, saying it has created fear and uncertainty in the livestock market and will directly hit the livelihoods of farmers and cattle traders. (IPA Service)
