Battle for Bengal: On West Bengal-Home Ministry Tussle
iasparliament
December 19, 2020
What is the issue?
Three IPS officers of the West Bengal cadre were appointed to various posts by the Union Home Ministry.
The decision comes as part of the long-standing differences between the State of West Bengal and the central government.
What is the recent trigger?
The tug of war began after a convoy of BJP President J.P. Nadda came under stone pelting in the State.
The BJP apparently holds the IPS officers accountable for the incident.
An initial move to recall these officials was resisted by the State.
So, the Centre has invoked Section 6(1) of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules.
This says that “in case of any disagreement, the matter shall be decided by the Central Government....”
What are the other concerns?
The central schemes, Ayushman Bharat and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, are also a bone of contention.
The TMC (Trinamool Congress) government in West Bengal has refused to implement them, demanding that the funds be routed through the State.
The CM has also complained of insufficient central assistance to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and cyclone Amphan.
The Centre’s earlier demand that the Chief Secretary and DGP attend a meeting in New Delhi on the State’s law-and-order situation increased the tensions.
What is the State’s stance?
The recent events have escalated the confrontation between the State and the Centre.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has objected the deputation order for three IPS officers despite the State’s objection.
She termed the deputation “a colourable exercise of power and blatant misuse of emergency provision of IPS Cadre Rule 1954”.
What is the significance?
The constant hostility between the State and Central governments is now taking a turn for the worse ahead of the 2021 Assembly election.
The tussle mirrors the high stakes political contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress.
The CM’s style of managing the police force has gained attention for the wrong reasons in the past.
Senior officials are seen as allied with the TMC.
On the other hand, the BJP’s determined drive to capture power in the State is multi-pronged.
Besides these, by enforcing its writ on IPS officers, the Centre is also sending a signal to all officers that their conduct will now be under scrutiny.
How does the future look?
The Supreme Court has restrained West Bengal from taking any “coercive action” against several BJP leaders in criminal cases registered against them by the State Police.
In the coming days, the BJP is likely to approach the Court and the Election Commission of India to bring pressure on the State government.
But, police personnel should not be made instruments of a political battle.
All told, the partisan use of the personnel and instruments of the state by parties in power is a disturbing signal for democracy and federalism.
