BJP Leader's Remarks on Amartya Sen Ignite Political Controversy in Kolkata
In a development that has stirred significant political debate, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has made comments questioning the contributions of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen to the progress of West Bengal. The remarks, delivered on Monday, have drawn sharp criticism from rival political parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), escalating tensions in the state's political landscape.
Adhikari's Criticism of Sen's Role in Bengal
Suvendu Adhikari, a prominent BJP figure in West Bengal, stated, "I don't want to comment on those who never had any contribution in taking the state forward." He elaborated further by questioning Sen's impact on the ground, asking, "Has he ever created a job opportunity for an educated youth in Bengal? There is no example that shows that he stood by a poor man." These comments come at a time when Sen, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, recently received a hearing notice related to electoral roll reviews, which he described as being conducted in haste.
Political Backlash from TMC and CPM
The Trinamool Congress was quick to condemn Adhikari's statements, labeling them as "unwarranted" and accusing him of attempting to undermine a globally respected intellectual. In a post on social media platform X, TMC remarked, "A mind incapable of understanding economics naturally attacks economists. A career built on opportunism naturally despises integrity. And a man allergic to ideas predictably lashes out at intellect."
Meanwhile, CPM central committee member Sujan Chakraborty highlighted Adhikari's shifting political allegiances, noting that the BJP leader was previously critical of Sen when the Nobel laureate advocated for industrialization in Bengal. Chakraborty said, "Adhikari was a TMC neta and tried to please his then-political masters. Today, he is saying what his political masters in BJP would like to hear. I am apologetic on behalf of the people of Bengal."
Historical Context of Sen's Criticism from Bengal BJP
This incident is not an isolated one in the ongoing friction between Amartya Sen and the Bengal BJP. In 2023, the leader of the opposition in Bengal attacked Sen for "remaining silent" during post-poll violence in the state. Earlier, in 2020, when Sen thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her support during a land dispute with Visva-Bharati, former Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh referred to him as a "jami dakhalkari (land-grabber)," arguing that Sen's influence was not felt among the rural poor struggling with poverty.
The controversy underscores the deep political divisions in West Bengal, with intellectual figures like Amartya Sen often becoming focal points in broader ideological battles. As the debate continues, it reflects the ongoing tensions between the BJP and its opponents in the state, with implications for public discourse and policy discussions in Kolkata and beyond.
