NEW DELHI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has channeled her longstanding resentment and legal battle against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise into a unique literary form of protest. In an unusual move, she has authored 26 poems on this contentious issue, which has been a persistent source of trouble for her administration.
A Poetic Collection with Striking Themes
The poems are compiled in a book titled SIR: 26 in 26, featuring provocative titles such as Panic, Doom, Mockery, Fight, Democracy, and Who Is To Blame. This collection was officially released on January 22 at the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, drawing attention from literary and political circles alike.
Dedication and Allegations in the Introduction
In the book's introduction, Banerjee dedicates it to "those who have lost their lives in this ruinous game", strongly alleging that a "relentless campaign of fear" has been unleashed upon the people of Bengal. She explains that these poems emerge from a "spirit of resistance", reflecting her deep-seated opposition to the SIR process.
One of the poems, titled Doom, poignantly questions: "How long do we stay silent still? Silence does not mean peace—it means lives are falling, dripping away to nothing." It further asserts, "We want answers. And answers will be given in people’s court."
Another poem, Morgue, makes bold claims, alleging that "democracy is being beaten, scrubbed raw" and that protest itself has fallen under the grip of what she terms "agency-raj".
Rapid Creation and Personal Insights
During an informal interaction with journalists on the sidelines of a press conference, Banerjee revealed that she wrote the entire book in just three days while traveling. With an impressive 163 published books to her credit, she emphasized her financial independence, noting that she does not draw a pension as a former MP and has forgone her salary as chief minister. Instead, she claims that her personal expenses are met through royalties earned from her books and other creative works.
Banerjee's Multifaceted Creative Pursuits
The Trinamool Congress founder is renowned for her diverse creative endeavors. Her literary portfolio spans multiple genres, including:
- Poetry
- Short stories
- Essays
- Political commentary
Beyond writing, Banerjee is also an accomplished painter, with many of her works exhibited both in India and internationally. Additionally, she has composed songs and written lyrics covering a wide range of topics, from social themes and nature to human emotions.
Political Context and Recent Actions
Banerjee recently traveled to New Delhi to formally register her reservations over the ongoing SIR exercise by the Election Commission and to meet with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. During this visit, the West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress supremo met CEC Kumar and two other election commissioners at the EC office in Delhi to discuss the issue. Reports indicate that the meeting ended abruptly after Banerjee slammed the table and walked out, highlighting the intensity of the disagreement.
Potential Escalation and Party Response
Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee stated that the party is considering moving a motion to impeach CEC Gyanesh Kumar. This potential action is in response to the manner in which the poll body is conducting the SIR exercise in West Bengal and other states, underscoring the deepening political rift.
This poetic protest by Mamata Banerjee not only adds a new dimension to her political strategy but also underscores the ongoing tensions between state governments and central electoral authorities in India. Her use of literature as a tool for dissent reflects a broader trend of creative expression in political discourse, blending art with activism in a highly charged electoral environment.
