According to the analysis of Arshad Shaikh regarding (“Muslim Presence and Electoral Politics of West Bengal,” Radiance Viewsweekly, 23 May 2026), the result of West Bengal is what was actually polled in the polling booths on the election day. But by not giving the CCTV footage of the polling booths, the mismatch of counted EVMs with what were polled on the election day and after 2 pm on the counting day at counting stations, the control of CRPF by switching off the CCTV show that the outcome was not actually polled.
Tameem Hanbal
Gaya, Bihar
How Far 2026 West Bengal Assembly Conducted Free and Fair Elections?
Most of the people – not only the Bengalis, but also people living in other States who might believe in India’s diversity – expected that the elections would surely win the then Trinamool Congress Party Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. However, when the results were announced that the BJP had won the West Bengal Assembly elections, the hope of the people was crushed and turned into ashes that would be remembered as a sad day in the history of Indian politics.
The Election Commission of India has conducted SIR just before the West Bengal Assembly elections. During the SIR more than ninety-one lakhs names were deleted from the voters lists while including ‘fake voters’ allegedly with the help of BJP workers and other forces had done the job while creating a way to cast them their votes in favour of BJP. When the names of the genuine voters were deleted whose voting rights were guaranteed by the Constitution of India, how do you call or see this as a free and fair election?
Sadly, the entire institutions failed to protect the Indian democracy and instead, stood behind the BJP to win the elections. What a shame! One cannot deny that the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections is totally prejudiced, unfair and unconstitutional.
Syed Amjad Ali
Secunderabad, Telangana
Press Freedom Sacrosanct
It was really distressing reading about how India has slipped on the World Press Freedom Index, and is now placed 157th among 180 countries. We are one of the greatest democracies in the world with a glorious tradition of upholding human and journalistic rights through the decades after Independence.
In fact, the media has played a pioneering role in exposing developmental anomalies and highlighting problems in the most underdeveloped regions of the country where the governments concerned have hardly been able to devote attention.
Media freedom is sacrosanct and has to be protected from governments which feel they are being intrusive and are playing a role in bringing to light their administrative lapses and failings.
Shakheel Hussain
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Re-naming of Places in India
Many places, road and govt. institutions in India are knownafter the names of some persons known for their service to the society. If one of them is re-named without a valid reason, it means denying and disregarding the person’s service to the society. Assam’s illustrious son Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed was the fifth President of India (1974-1977). A medical college in Assam was named“Fakaruddin Ali Ahmed Medical college and Hospital,” recognising his contribution to India. Regrettably, it has been lately re-named as “Barpeta Medical College and Hospital” by Assam’s present BJP-led Govt. for the reason best known to it. Conversely it has taken no such step in case of other medical colleges and institutions named after the names of some other leaders in the state.
Again, we have seen many historical places and institutions in India named after the names of some renowned Muslims of the Mughal period. Most of them are now re-named by the BJP Govt. at the Centre; thereby denying and disregarding their contributions to India. To speak the truth, what Mughals did and earned, they utilised and invested them in India for its welfare and prosperity unlike the British who set up imperialism in India and transported its earned riches to England.
Will India preserve Muslims’ historical names on some places?
Muhammad Abdus Samad
Ambari,Dhupdhara, Assam