West Bengal faced post-poll violence as the vote counting showed a massive victory of TMC over BJP in the assembly election. The social media storm triggered by this post-poll violence in the state has led to a plea being filed in Supreme Court by a trust based in Chennai.
An aspect of the violence that has been overlooked by many is that the casualties range across parties.
Among the 12 dead in the post-poll violence, six were from BJP, five were from TMC and one was from ISF.
Incidents at Arambagh and Belaghata were under focus of many News agencies. In parallel, there was an incident where people associated with TMC in Sandeshkhali were attacked, which got next to nil attention.
Local people in these areas alleged that BJP leaders are stoking the violence as the party is unable to digest its defeat in the assembly election.
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There was also a case where fake news was being circulated and peddled through Twitter. In a Twitter post, a claim was made regarding alleged gangrape of women poll agents of BJP and incidents of molestation in Birbhum.
This turned out to be a fake news as it was found to be false by West Bengal police.
There has been a disinformation campaign regarding the violence, which many fear can take dangerous turns fuelled by the fake news circulated around. The citizen’s group ‘No Vote to BJP’ has urged the people and leaders within various political parties including the Left front to prevent the spread of disinformation on social media.
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Some observers opine that these developments are part of machinations by BJP after it’s humiliating defeat in West Bengal, in a possible attempt to paint a lawless picture in the state and bring in President Rule.
It is worthwhile to note that phrases like President Rule, and Governor rule are being tweeted by accounts which visibly support BJP.
This is not an unfounded claim. There has been a development in this regard.
Indic collective trust, a Chennai based trust has moved the Supreme Court to impose President’s rule in West Bengal claiming that the law and order situation has worsened in the state. Response of the Apex Court is yet to come.
The situation is more or less peaceful but there is a subtly tense environment in the state which has returned TMC to the helm of power.
Mamata Banerjee, whose party has secured a resounding victory against BJP, is set to take oath on May 05.