Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal’s combative Leader of the Opposition, has escalated his offensive against the Mamata Banerjee dispensation by writing directly to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose over the brutal riots in Beldanga. The letter, accessed by media outlets, paints a damning portrait of state negligence amid a violent outburst that claimed property worth crores and left the town smoldering.
The flashpoint: a disputed land near a Hindu shrine where construction activities allegedly encroached on sensitive areas. Tensions boiled over into full-scale riots, with armed groups from opposing sides engaging in pitched battles. Flames lit up the night sky as marauders ransacked businesses, torched motorcycles, and vandalized public property. Rapid Action Force units were eventually airlifted in, but not before the damage was extensive.
In his detailed four-page letter, Adhikari demands the Governor’s personal oversight, including a judicial inquiry and President’s Rule if law enforcement proves incapable. He lambasted the police for ‘criminal inaction,’ citing intelligence failures and accusations of community favoritism. BJP supporters rallied outside the local thana, demanding arrests of the perpetrators.
Victims shared harrowing tales: families barricaded indoors as stones rained down, economic losses mounting by the hour. The district magistrate’s curfew order came too late for many. Adhikari warned that ignoring these signals could ignite a statewide communal crisis, referencing historical precedents in the region.
Governor Bose’s track record suggests he won’t shy away from tough calls. Recent advisories to the state on similar matters have irked TMC brass. As opposition voices amplify, Banerjee’s administration faces mounting scrutiny. Adhikari’s intervention marks a tactical masterstroke, positioning BJP as the defender of peace in a polarized polity.
Recovery efforts are underway, with relief camps set up for the displaced. Yet, the underlying grievances—illegal encroachments, poor policing, political meddling—remain unaddressed. Until the Governor steps in decisively, Beldanga’s story risks becoming Bengal’s recurring nightmare.