West Bengal now a lab for political violence: BJP leader B L Santhosh
Bengaluru, May 21: Alleging that there is no right to make a political free choice or to exercise one's democratic preferences in West Bengal, BJP national general Secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh on Friday called the Chief Minister of that State Mamata Banerjee "a threat to democracy".
He said the eastern State that had to become a laboratory for democracy has become a laboratory for political violence.
Santhosh alleged that Muslims who have come from Bangladesh illegally and have become leaders in the ruling TMC are playing a huge role in the post-poll violence in West Bengal.
"A total of 26 of our workers have been killed so far (in post-poll violence), including women. There are also instances of damage to properties, atrocities and threat to life, there is a fear to come out and file a complaint as police are inactive, we thought Mamata Banerjee's statement "Khela Hobe' (game is on) as call for political game, but did not realise it was about political violence," Santhosh said.
"TMC and its supremo's politics, their conduct is dangerous to democracy. Mamata Banerjee is a threat to democracy," he said.
Speaking on the topic "Bengal After Elections" virtually, he said everyone would have to work towards getting justice to those affected by violence, make culprits face justice and rebuild the lives of about 12,000 families or 40,000 people in that State.
"There is no right to political free choice, right to exercise one's democratic preferences, right to pursue one's political belief and conviction, right to resort to legitimate political activities in West Bengal today under TMC and Mamata Banerjee's rule," he said.
There is a need to set things right and take West Bengal on the path of development and nationalistic thoughts, he said, adding that "we will have to get justice for Hindu refugees and show the way for illegal entrants, bring in CAA and end political violence."
The BJP general secretary was speaking on the political violence in West Bengal organised by 'Samvada'.
One of the disappointing factors of the elections to five States for which results were declared on May 2 is violence during and post the elections in West Bengal, he said while questioning the alleged silence of the Communist party and Congress leaders.
"Mamata Banerjee who has been ruling the state for 10 years has to be blamed (for violence). The ruling party and the Chief Minister, who despite losing from the constituency she had contested, without any explanation or remorse has occupied the Chief Minister's chair, are directly responsible," he said.
Noting that West Bengal has had its own history of political violence and violence in public life, Santhosh said Mamata Banerjee is its inheritor; she calls herself "Bangal ki Beti", but is silent on violence on other daughters of Bengal by her party workers under her rule.
Political and electoral violence are "pre-determined in the places ruled by Communist in the post-Independent India," he said.
Banerjee, who fought against the Left supremacy in Bengal which ruled the State from 1977-2011, and gained power, instead of working for the progress and welfare of the people and the State made the same violence the basis of her administration.
While in other States' political violence, voter lists and booth-related issues during elections are stray incidents, in West Bengal the politics of "goondagiri" can be seen in the entire State in all the 294 seats, he said.
If one has to see the politicisation of the administration, criminalisation of politics and corruption altogether then West Bengal is the place, he said.
Highlighting Bengal's contribution to spirituality, literature and economy, also to the freedom movement and hence there is a saying that "What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow", the BJP leader said such a place is in a sorry state today.
Conceding that BJP lost in West Bengal and despite huge expectations managed to get only 77 seats and after two resignations now has 75 MLAs, he said, "It is not the pain of losing power, but it is the pain of Bengal going back to the same old politics of violence is what is hurting us the most."
The public anger against Mamata Banerjee and the inability of Congress and Communists to fight her led to people start supporting the BJP in the State, he said adding Hindus there also stood against her in protest against oppression against the community under her rule.
Santhosh questioned the alleged silence of the media and intellectuals on West Bengal violence.
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Use of loudspeakers not essential part of any religion, says Bombay HC
orders action against violation
Mumbai (PTI): Use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion, the Bombay High Court said on Thursday, directing the law enforcement agencies to take prompt action against loudspeakers that violate the noise pollution norms and rules.
A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and S C Chandak said noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers.
The HC asked the state government to direct religious institutions to adopt mechanisms for controlling noise levels, including calibrated sound systems with auto-decibel limits.
The court passed its judgment on a petition filed by two housing associations from suburban Kurla - Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-operative Housing Societies Association Ltd - alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area.
The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'azaan' (Islamic call to prayer) disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The bench in its order said Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city and obviously there are persons of different religions in every part of the city.
"It is in public interest that such permissions should not be granted. By denying such permissions, rights under Article 19 or 25 of the Constitution of India are not at all infringed. Use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion," the HC said.
The court said it was the "bounden duty" of the state government and other authorities to enforce the law by adopting all the necessary measures, as may be prescribed by the provisions of law.
"In a democratic State, there cannot be a situation that, a person/group of persons/association of persons would say that, it will not follow or adhere to the law of the land and the law enforcers would be meek or silent spectators to it," the judgment said.
It added that common citizens are "hapless and helpless victims of these obnoxious use of loudspeakers and/or amplifiers".
The court said the police must act on complaints against loudspeakers violating the noise pollution rules without requiring identification of the complainant to avoid such complainants being targets or ill will and developing hatred.
"We direct the State to consider to direct all the concerned to have in-built mechanism to control decibel level in their loudspeakers/voice amplifiers/public address system or other sound emitting gadgets used by any religious place/structure/institution, irrespective of religion," the bench ordered.
The State may also seriously consider to issue directions for calibration and/or auto-fixation of decibel limit of loudspeakers/voice amplifiers/public address system or other sound emitting gadgets used by any or all the religions in their respective places of prayers or worship, the HC said.
The court also directed the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, to issue instructions to all police stations to take prompt action in case of any complaint against loudspeakers at religious places.
"We take a judicial note of the fact that, generally people/citizens do not complain about the things until it becomes intolerable and a nuisance," the bench said.
Reminding the authorities that ambient noise levels must not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night in residential areas, the court added that cumulative noise from all sources must adhere to these limits.
"The law does not permit that, every individual loudspeaker will emit 55 or 45 decibels of noise aggregating to more than what is prescribed under the said Rules. That would amount to frustrating the intention of the Legislature," the court said.
The court said the police may also withdraw permissions granted to the said trusts/institutions for the use of loudspeakers, if repeated violation of the provisions of the said Noise Pollution Rules are brought to their notice.
