West Bengal, known for itsrich cultural heritageand vibrant politics, has been at the center of attention in recent times due to the Panchayat elections and the subsequent outbreak of riots. The state, with its long history of political activism and clashes between rival parties, witnessed a tumultuous period during the electoral process, leading to widespread violence and social unrest.

I voted because I am a indian citizen but I feel ashamed as I watch the Panchayat Election in the television. 

I'm ashamed to say that there has been a significant Booth Rigging in front of the police in the majority of West Bengal.

Not only in front of a lower-ranking police officer but also in front of my district's Inspector and Additional SP.

The individual depicted above was Raj Kumar Roy, an English teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School, and he presided over one of the polling booths at Itahar Amal Acharaya School, Raiganj Panchayat Area, Uttar Dinajpur District, West Bengal. In this Panchayat Election, secret ballots were used instead of electronic voting machines(EVMs).

He alone resisted a group of Hooligans who had come to rig the voting booth and cast a vote in favor of the ruling party. He told the police about the situation, and the Hooligans were taken into custody.

He went out to smoke after the voting was over, but he was kidnapped and hasn't been seen since after the voting was over.

Yesterday, this person's body was discovered at a railway line in three pieces, making it appear as though he had committed suicide. However, this is a cold-blooded homicide.'

It is essential to comprehend the state's rural economy in order to comprehend the cause of this violence. Despite the fact that West Bengal is an agrarian state, it is home to a variety of illegal businesses and syndicates that have the potential to turn into money spinners. Unaccounted raw cash can be earned at any time.

These include real estate mafias that will force people to buy their raw materials in order to stop construction, sand mafias that are insanely powerful and control districts with river beds (Birbhum district has a lot of them), coal mafias in the Asansol-Durgapur-Ranigunj belt, who are some of the richest people in the state, but nobody knows how much they have, and fishing business and land mafias.

The Panchayat elections in West Bengal were marred by widespread violence and allegations of voter intimidation, booth capturing, and voter suppression. Both theruling TMC and the opposition parties accused each other of orchestrating violence and malpractices to manipulate the election results. Reports of clashes between party workers, attacks on candidates, and the destruction of ballot boxes became disturbingly common, painting a grim picture of the electoral process.

Now, who are these individuals? Clearly, musclemen who manage the affairs of the election in exchange for a safe passage for their illegal activities. These "innovative" start-ups—yes, these are the first of their kind in West Bengal—were created by CPIM, and when the government changed, a lot of them moved to the TMC to keep their current position. Fights among the party's factions and internal strife resulted from this.

When the TMC came to power in 2011, thousands of CPIM cadres and henchmen switched their jerseys from the Red to the Green, and those are the same people you see today. They will jump again if they sense that any other party has a chance of forming a government.

Having said that, the BJP has submitted the most candidates ever, close to 27000, up from 5000 (approximately) in 2013. Violence occurred in approximately 100 to 200 of the 37000 booths. It is still 1.35 percent, even if I increase it to 500. Rest 98.65 percent is not news. The media of today is very powerful, and in order to increase their TRP, they will continue to portray violence because portraying a normal election will not be sensational. Panchayat violence is a culture that will be very difficult to eradicate in the near future in WB, Bihar, and UP. In this state, this is a very unfortunate fact.

The majority of rural residents are satisfied with the 24-hour electricity, water, road, and irrigation projects that have been completed. As chief minister, Mamata Banerjeeought to have avoided this unnecessary violence. She easily would have won. The entire pointless. However, I have only one word for those who assert that democracy has been destroyed. Do you remember how the BJP won Arunachal Pradesh by imposing President's rule and killing Kalikho Pul, the former chief minister? or the way the Goan government was set up? Democracy was overthrown long ago.

Addressing the ongoing riots and fostering reconciliation in West Bengal requires a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, there must be a commitment from all political parties to renounce violence and engage in peaceful dialogue. The role of law enforcement agencies should be reevaluated to ensure impartiality and the restoration of public trust. Political leaders should also take responsibility for promoting unity and tolerance, encouraging their supporters to refrain from incendiary language and actions.

Additionally, civil society organizations, community leaders, and intellectuals must come together to promote peacebuilding initiatives and create platforms for dialogue. Public awareness campaigns can play a crucial role in educating citizens about the importance of peaceful coexistence and the detrimental effects of violence on society as a whole.

Furthermore, there is a need for electoral reforms to strengthen the democratic process in West Bengal. But there should be a strict system.

Transparency in the electoral process, strict implementation of laws, and effective mechanisms to address grievances can help restore faith in the democratic system.

Moreover, efforts should be made to bridge the political divide and foster inclusive governance. The ruling party should be open to constructive criticism and engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition, addressing their concerns and incorporating diverse perspectives in policymaking. This can contribute to a more balanced and inclusive approach to governance, minimizing the scope for violent confrontations.

It is crucial for the state government to prioritize the restoration of law and order. Stringent action should be taken against those involved in violence and criminal activities, regardless of their political affiliations. Fair and impartial investigations, followed by swift prosecution, can help deter future incidents and send a strong message that violence will not be tolerated.