The Setting Sun of West Bengal — and Perhaps Its Reappearance

 

The Setting Sun of West Bengal — and Perhaps Its Reappearance

Perhaps, the setting of the Sun of West Bengal began on 7th May, 2012.

That date may be remembered by many not merely as another day in the political calendar, but as a point from which the political, administrative and social landscape of West Bengal began to undergo a significant transformation.

The Sun is often used as a metaphor for power, hope, confidence, progress and public aspiration. When the Sun sets, darkness gradually descends. But sunset is never the end of the story.

The Sun may disappear from the horizon for a time, yet it does not cease to exist.

It rises again.

And perhaps, after a long period of darkness, uncertainty and political turbulence, the Sun of West Bengal is once again becoming visible on the horizon.

The question is not merely about one political party, one individual or one election.

The larger question is about West Bengal itself.

A State with an extraordinary intellectual heritage.

A State which produced great thinkers, reformers, scientists, writers, freedom fighters, jurists, artists and social reformers.

A State which has historically contributed immensely to India's constitutional, cultural and intellectual life.

The people of West Bengal have always possessed the capacity to distinguish between hope and despair, development and stagnation, institutional strength and institutional weakness, and genuine public service and political rhetoric.

The rising Sun therefore represents more than political change.

It represents the possibility of renewed hope.

It represents the aspiration for stronger institutions, greater accountability, better governance, employment opportunities, economic development, social harmony and restoration of confidence among the people.

But the rising of the Sun also brings responsibility.

A new morning cannot merely replace one political arrangement with another. It must bring with it a renewed commitment to constitutional values, democratic institutions, rule of law and equal opportunity.

West Bengal deserves a future in which merit is respected, institutions are strengthened, young people can dream without leaving the State, businesses can grow with confidence, and ordinary citizens can approach public institutions without fear or favour.

If the Sun is indeed appearing again, let it not be merely a political sunrise.

Let it be a sunrise of hope, justice, development, dignity and constitutional governance.

The sunset may have lasted long.

The night may have appeared even longer.

But history teaches us one simple truth:

No night is permanent.

Every sunset carries within it the promise of another sunrise.

And perhaps today, from the horizon of West Bengal, the first rays of that new Sun are once again becoming visible.

Let the people decide what that sunrise should mean for the future of the State.

Jai Hind. 🇮🇳

Ashok Kumar Singh
Advocate, High Court Calcutta