Mumbai, August 11: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) claimed on Tuesday that the attack on Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal is not merely an assault on an individual political figure but a direct blow to the democratic fabric of the Republic.
In an editorial published in their mouthpiece ‘Saamana’, the party stated, “A mob armed with stones, sticks, and iron rods surrounded her vehicle, clearly aiming to eliminate a strong opposition voice. Her survival is merely a matter of chance, but this incident reveals a horrifying truth: the state of political violence in West Bengal has crossed all acceptable limits.”
The editorial further noted that since recent changes in political equations in the state, leaders of the Trinamool Congress, including MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee, have been consistently targeted. The contradiction in the ruling party’s attitude is evident.
While the central leadership warmly welcomes defectors, leaders who are building a political base in the state are falling victim to life-threatening attacks. When the central government previously justified its interventions by citing the breakdown of law and order in West Bengal, questions arise about whether the current atmosphere of unchecked hostility and state-sanctioned arbitrariness defines their understanding of law and order.
The editorial also highlighted that during the assembly elections, the central administration deployed millions of paramilitary forces under the pretext of ensuring a fair process and maintaining order. Today, as targeted political violence escalates, that readiness is conspicuously absent. The reluctance to deploy necessary central forces to restore peace reveals a troubling double standard. When former chief ministers, current MPs, and elected representatives repeatedly fall victim to street violence, it reflects a complete breakdown of institutional governance.
The response from opposition leadership in the state is equally concerning. Presenting a violent attack on a senior political figure merely as a ‘fight between the public and a political party’ is both irresponsible and dangerous. Such rhetoric rationalizes mob violence and signals a shirking of state responsibility. Based on this flawed reasoning, any public demonstration or grievance, including youth protests at Jantar Mantar, could be misrepresented as a personal conflict between citizens and the Prime Minister, diverting the state from its fundamental duty to maintain order.
Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, argued that in a functioning democracy, electoral victories and defeats are determined at the ballot box. Commitment to restraint, accountability, and the protection of constitutional norms is essential for political power. The current situation, where dissent is suppressed through excessive force, student movements are crushed, and opposition leaders face continuous physical threats, points to an environment where non-governmental organizations feel emboldened to enforce political will.
The Thackeray faction claimed that if the opposition is viewed as a physical enemy to be eliminated rather than an essential pillar of governance, democracy cannot survive. Allowing violent elements to operate without punishment is not a display of power; it is a sign leading towards chaos, ultimately weakening the very institutions established to uphold the nation.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.