DNA Edit: Bengal, a tinderbox

West Bengal is fast turning into a boiling communal cauldron. For a state that prided itself for successfully dissociating religion and politics, the recent phenomenon of a growing enmity between Hindus and Muslims has much to do with the political firmament sowing seeds of discord.

A few years ago, Ram Navami celebrations were virtually unheard of in the state. Today, it has become a source of violence and intense rivalry between the BJP-VHP and Trinamool Congress. This time the TMC, generally perceived to be close to the Muslim community, wanted to burnish its Hindu credentials for fear of alienating the dominant community.

The competitive displays of faith and an abject failure to maintain law and order have resulted in a spate of violent clashes, affecting Murshidabad and Bardhaman West districts. One person died, several people, including a policeman whose hand was blown off when a bomb was hurled at him, were injured and the communal divide has become further entrenched.

The worshipping of weapons on Ram Navami might be an age-old custom but carrying swords in a procession can be construed as a thinly disguised call to arms. With tempers running high, even the slightest spark can lead to a conflagration.

For the second day in a row, skirmishes driven by religious passion have sent strong signals to the state government that the situation on the ground has the potential to slip out of control. Things have come to such a pass because Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has consistently failed to demonstrate that governance is above religion.

It has been alleged that since she came to power, Banerjee’s focus has been on building closer ties with the Muslim community and its leaders to consolidate her vote-bank. Her needless interference — such as restricting the time of Durga idol immersions to facilitate Muharram processions, citing law-and-order issues — had even incurred the Calcutta High Court’s wrath.

Her tokenisms like addressing a Muslim gathering with invocations to the Allah or wearing a hijab haven’t gone down well with the Hindus. She has also shared the dais with imams who have openly espoused communal violence.

Make no mistake: Banerjee has done precious little to uplift millions of Muslims who continue to live in poverty. Instead, she has turned a blind eye to illegal immigration from the neighbouring country that has effected a demographic change in border towns and districts. Bengal is today perceived as a sanctuary for homegrown as well as Bangladeshi Islamic militants.

All these factors have led to widespread suspicion that the Hindus could be in mortal danger. The rise of Right-wing organisations in the state — with the RSS making inroads into the hearts and homes of a disgruntled population — is now manifesting in shows of muscle power, throwing a direct challenge to the state government. Banerjee is playing with fire, and if she can’t douse the flames now, it will engulf her and the state in the near future.