The happy mood of the celebrations in Kolkata was replaced by a very serious moment when Modi and Shah paused the swearing-in of the new government (headed by Suvendu Adhikari) to honor the BJP workers killed after the West Bengal assembly elections in 2021. By saying the remembrance is something that makes them stronger, the two leaders connected the memory of these people with the election results, and clearly defined a new political message.
A sombre turn at the Brigade Parade Ground
Right next to the stage at Brigade Parade Ground where Adhikari and his government were taking their oaths, a quickly put up memorial caught people’s attention. A large sign listed the names of those the BJP calls “martyrs” and which areas of West Bengal they had come from.
This memorial quickly became the most important emotional part of the event. Shah said the memorial was causing a lot of feeling among the party workers at the event, and showed how remembering these deaths is now the biggest thing in West Bengal politics.
Messages from the top leadership
Modi added to the moment on X (formerly Twitter), praising the brave BJP workers. He said their bravery will always be a source of strength for everyone, and emphasized that their sacrifice will always be part of the BJP’s story.
He also described this day as the beginning of the first ever BJP government in West Bengal. In a different post, Shah showed a video of the memorial and sent his greetings to all those “martyrs” who gave everything to the country and the party.
Key points from the event:
– Tribute led by PM Modi and Amit Shah
– Makeshift memorial at Brigade Parade Ground
– Names and districts displayed on a large board
– Shah shared a video calling it stirring deep emotions
– BJP claims over 300 workers killed post-2021 polls
Allegations of post-poll killings
The remembrance also brought back the BJP’s main criticism of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Samik Bhattacharya, the BJP leader in the state, said that over 300 BJP workers were killed by TMC supporters who use violence after the 2021 election, especially after the results were announced.
Bhattacharya said they were killed simply for wanting to bring about change in West Bengal, and the party won’t forget their sacrifices on this day. This accusation puts the blame for the deaths and the need for justice at the centre of the BJP’s attempts to get people active and involved.
Why the memorial matters now
By making the swearing-in ceremony about a memorial, the BJP is trying to link actually running the government with the complaints and feelings of those who suffered. This action is meant to encourage its members, and suggests that political change happens because of sacrifice, not just because of the number of votes.
It also indicates what the new government will focus on early on. By publicly displaying the names and the areas the victims came from, the loss is made more personal, and people in the state are encouraged to think about government decisions in relation to those who, according to the BJP, died for their beliefs.
What comes next
We can expect the BJP to continue to remind people about these deaths in their statements as the government gets settled. Because the leaders at the top of the party are saying sacrifice gives them strength, the BJP seems determined to keep the story of the violence in 12021 at the core of its political work in West Bengal.
The memorial gives those who support the BJP a sense of peace and determination. For those who oppose the BJP, it creates a problem because of claims they have always said are not true. Now the focus will move from just symbols to what happens in reality, as the new government tries to deal with what people expect, the strong feelings involved and the need to be held responsible for things.
