Urging citizens and institutions alike to break their silence, Bose emphasised that collective accountability is the only way to confront Bengal’s deepening challenges.
CV Ananda Bose
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has refused to blame any particular party for political violence in the state, stating that the problem has a historical background.
Governor Bose said on The Statesman Talk podcast recently that not just the administration but all stakeholders — the silent majority, the civil society, the media, and both the ruling party, the opposition and the government – must act to end the trend of political violence in the state.
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Urging citizens and institutions alike to break their silence, Bose emphasised that collective accountability is the only way to confront Bengal’s deepening challenges.
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“Instead of the blame game on anybody, I would say that we should be forward-looking. There should be concerted action by all the stakeholders. When I say the stakeholders, I mean the silent majority, the civil society, the media, the political parties, ruling party, as well as opposition, and primarily the government in power,” he said.
Describing violence and corruption as serious challenges undermining West Bengal’s social fabric, Dr. Bose noted that these issues are rooted in historical legacies.
“Violence and corruption, these are the cancers eating at the body politic of Bengal. I do not blame any particular political party for this. In my analysis, this is the result of history, historical legacy. In 1946, there was a direct action called, which resulted in killing 6,000 people in the city of Kolkata,” the Governor said.
On the persistence of electoral violence, Bose painted a stark picture: “I would say it is menu-driven violence there. It is available. Gundas are available for any political party for any purpose. It’s a menu-driven thing. For shooting down a person this much. For stabbing a person this much. For hacking a person this much. I have never seen such a degeneration of human values than in Bengal in some pockets during election time.”
He further cautioned against ‘menu-driven violence’ during next year’s elections, urging all sections of society to uphold democratic values and ensure peaceful and fair polls.
“I want Bengal to be violence-free, corruption-free. This is not an impossible task. I promised the people that I’ll work my level best for that. That is not a promise, it’s a commitment,” he said.
Crossing the halfway mark of his five-year term – having taken over as Governor on November 23, 2022 – Bose reflected on his defining experiences and shared his vision for a “regenerated Bengal”.
Quoting Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, he said, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;”, adding, “I am looking forward to such a Bengal, regeneration of Bengal.”
He described the Governor’s role as a unique opportunity to serve citizens directly, drawing on his field experiences, including visits to flood-affected North Bengal.
“We have borrowed this earth from our children. It is our moral duty to return it in good condition,” he said, highlighting the importance of sustainable development and disaster preparedness.
Reflecting on his experiences in both Bengal and his home state of Kerala, he noted the striking cultural similarities between the two regions.
“Bengal and Kerala are like twins,” he said. “There is a lot of enlightenment in every individual, a capacity for argument and debate, and a deep attachment to culture.”
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