CJP Raises Pressure on Bengal Government Over School Controversy Linked to Activist's Father
A political row has erupted in West Bengal involving local schools and the death of an activist's father.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CJP) has intensified its criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in West Bengal over a growing controversy involving the death of an activist’s father, which has sparked a dispute centered on schools. The incident, which has drawn widespread attention in recent days, has become a focal point in ongoing political tensions between the ruling
CJP leaders today staged a protest outside a government-run school in central Kolkata, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led West Bengal government of negligence in the death of an activist’s father, whose demise has spiraled into a political row involving educational institutions. Holding banners demanding accountability, protesters alleged that the school’s failure to provide timely medical assistance contributed to the death of 62-year-old Alok Saha, father of activist Soma Saha, who collapsed on campus last week. (Indian Express)
The incident occurred on August 18, when Alok Saha visited the school in the city’s Ballygunge area to resolve a dispute over his daughter’s enrollment records. Eyewitnesses claim he suffered a cardiac arrest after a heated exchange with school officials, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. Soma Saha, a vocal critic of the state government and affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CJP), has since accused the school administration of “deliberate inaction,” alleging that staff delayed calling emergency services. The school has denied wrongdoing, stating that staff followed protocol and that Saha was attended to immediately. (Indian Express)
The controversy has escalated into a broader political battle, with CJP leaders accusing the BJP government of shielding school authorities linked to the ruling party. State CJP president Subhash Bhowmik alleged that the school’s principal and several staff members are “active BJP functionaries,” implying political bias influenced their response. The BJP has rejected these claims, calling the allegations “baseless” and accusing the CJP of exploiting a personal tragedy for political gain. State education minister Swapan Kumar Bhattacharya stated, “The government will not tolerate politicization of educational institutions,” adding that an inquiry has been ordered. (Indian Express)
This dispute occurs amid heightened tensions between the BJP and CJP in West Bengal, where the BJP has sought to expand its footprint against the backdrop of the ruling Trinamool Congress’s dominance. The CJP, a key ally of the Trinamool-led alliance in the state, has frequently targeted the BJP over issues ranging from educational policy to alleged communal polarization. The school controversy now adds another layer to this rivalry, with both sides leveraging it to mobilize support ahead of upcoming local elections. (Indian Express)
While the police investigation into Alok Saha’s death continues, questions persist about the school’s emergency response protocols and whether political affiliations influenced its administration’s actions. The state education department has announced a review of health and safety measures across all government schools, though activists and opposition groups demand a more transparent probe. As of now, no charges have been filed, and the exact cause of Saha’s death awaits the post-mortem report’s release. (Indian Express)
Indian Express