Five months on, Bengal waits for government to govern, not oppose

If there is one thing that stands out in West Bengal’s annual Durga Puja, it is its largesse as a public commons — the sarbojonin — where there is room for the devout, the argumentative, and the sceptic. And so, year after year, alongside the beat of the dhak, the crowds at the pandals, the food stalls that dot the festive perimeters, a constant has been book stalls, many set up by Left parties. The conviction that political differences need not extinguish cultural fellowship seems to have faltered this year. Across the state, reports of vandalism of these book stalls suggest a disturbing narrowing of that common ground.

The tension also echoes wider concerns about the BJP government’s priorities since coming to power in May on the promise of change. In the five months since, its actions show the instincts of an opposition party on the street, drawn to the readily mobilised terrain of identity politics. It shows few signs of getting down to the harder work of governance. The disquieting spectacle of arrested TMC members being paraded through their erstwhile strongholds by police and paramilitary forces soon after the BJP came to power; the passage of the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the controversial Anti-Goonda Bill 2026 raise questions about institutional autonomy and administrative overreach. Together, these developments evoke an older playbook in the state in which power travelled through patronage, muscle and systemic impunity — the culture the BJP promised to change.

Overall Analysis

The editorial criticises the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal for allegedly prioritising political confrontation and identity politics over effective governance. The central argument is that a government must move beyond the role of an opposition party and focus on administration, institutional independence and democratic values.

The author begins by using Durga Puja as a symbol of social harmony and cultural inclusiveness. The festival is described as a “public commons”, suggesting a shared space where people with different beliefs and political opinions can coexist. The mention of sarbojonin, meaning something belonging to or intended for everyone, reinforces the inclusive character of the celebration. The presence of bookstalls run by Left parties illustrates how cultural participation can transcend political divisions.

However, reports of vandalism at these bookstalls indicate a weakening of this tradition. The expression “a disturbing narrowing of that common ground” is metaphorical: it suggests that the space for peaceful coexistence and political disagreement is shrinking. Through this example, the author connects an incident during a cultural festival to a larger concern about political intolerance.

The second paragraph shifts from cultural harmony to the performance of the state government. The phrase “the instincts of an opposition party on the street” is particularly significant. It implies that the BJP government continues to behave like a political movement seeking confrontation rather than an administration responsible for governing the state. The author contrasts the relatively easy task of mobilising people around identity politics with the more demanding responsibilities of administration and public service.

The editorial then cites several developments, including the public parading of arrested Trinamool Congress (TMC) members and the passage of legislation concerning educational institutions and alleged anti-goonda activity. These examples are used to question whether the government respects institutional autonomy and exercises its powers appropriately. The terms “administrative overreach” and “institutional autonomy” introduce a formal constitutional and political dimension to the argument.

The final sentence draws a historical comparison with an earlier political culture in West Bengal, characterised by patronage, muscle power and impunity. The irony is that the BJP had promised to change this very system. By suggesting that the new government may be reproducing the practices it opposed, the author highlights a possible contradiction between political promises and actual conduct.

From a language perspective, the editorial uses metaphors, contrast, historical references and critical word choice to build its argument. Rather than simply listing the government’s actions, it presents them as signs of a wider problem: the possible erosion of democratic tolerance and the failure to prioritise governance. The criticism is forceful, although the claims and interpretations are the author’s assessment rather than neutral findings established by the passage alone.

2. Important Vocabulary (5)

3. Conclusion and Tone

Conclusion: The editorial argues that West Bengal needs a government focused on governing rather than political confrontation. By contrasting the inclusive spirit of Durga Puja with reports of vandalism and examining the government’s early actions, the author raises concerns about political intolerance, institutional autonomy and the possible continuation of older patterns of power. The underlying message is that genuine political change must be reflected in responsible administration, respect for dissent and protection of democratic institutions.

Tone: Critical, concerned and cautionary.

The author is critical of the government’s priorities, concerned about the shrinking space for political disagreement, and cautionary about the possibility that the new administration may repeat the practices it promised to eliminate.