A Resignation That Shook TMC: Jawhar Sircar’s Resignation Challenges Bengal’s Political Status Quo
Former IAS officer’s decision to quit politics sparks a wider discussion on crime against women, judicial delays, and selective outrage. Public and political figures react, urging TMC’s diverse members to demand better leadership from Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata: Kolkata: The two-page resignation letter from Jawhar Sircar, the Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member who has resigned from politics and the Rajya Sabha over the mishandling of the RG Kar rape and murder case involving a trainee doctor by the Mamata Banerjee government, reflects the current state of Bengal.
The bureaucrat-turned-politician, posting his resignation letter addressing TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on social media wrote, “I am quitting as MP primarily because of WB government’s faulty handling of the most spontaneous public movement following the terrible rape-murder case at RG Kar Hospital. I am also quitting politics. I will be with the people in their struggle for justice. My commitment to secular, democratic values will remain unchanged forever. Today, I quit politics.”
The letter not only highlighted the mishandling of the RG Kar rape and murder case but also pointed out the unchecked corruption in the state. Despite being a member of the highest house of the Indian parliamentary system, he was unable to meet with the Chief Minister of Bengal.
“I had to say all this in writing as I have not had the opportunity to speak privately with you In several months. I express my gratitude again for the opportunity you gave me to raise Bengal’s issues in parliament for 3 years, but I do not wish to continue as MP at all. My commitment to fight corruption, communalism and authoritarianism in the Centre and the States is simply non-negotiable,” the third last paragraph of the letter reads.
eNewsroom had recently published a story on Jawhar Sircar, on his excellent report card inside Rajya Sabha.
At the national level, while Mahua Moitra and Derek O’Brien have become prominent TMC faces, Sircar has recently gained popularity due to his important debates on financial issues and factual answers. The 72-year-old former IAS officer remains very active on social media and frequently posts. His writings on religious festivals are a rare work on Facebook by an authentic source. He writes about every festival celebrated in the country.
Since the RG Kar incident, while other TMC members have remained silent, the former chairperson of Prasar Bharati frequently commented in his posts that he found the state government’s work to be ‘very callous’.
However, on social media, there is a flood of messages on Sircar’s resignation letter, and most are respecting his decision. There are people like Kirti Chidambaram, MP from Shivganga who expressed surprise, “Surprised & disappointed by your decision. Parliament needs people like you. You added great value to our discussions in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT. While I understand your angst, I hope you will reconsider (sic).”
Some, like River Phoenix, suggested that it was time to stand with the party and that he should have resigned after 3-4 months, “Quitting or not quitting is totally your decision. But quitting your party when it is going through a tremendous crisis and opposition just shows opportunism. Whatever things are wrong in the party must have been wrong before also. But you didn’t quit before. Now when the party is facing backlash and opposition, you try to save yourself at this time, which is the worst kind of backstabbing anyone can do. You could have at least waited 3-4 months before things would have quietened, but leaving it now sends the worst message to the public about the party (sic).”
Political analyst Rasheed Kidwai told eNewsroom on Sircar’s resignation, “Though I am a well-wisher of Jawhar Sircar, you must understand the situation. Crime against women is a blot on the society and rape in India is very unfortunate. But if you see things after Nirbhaya Case, the rapes have increased. And the conviction rate, being 26-27 percent, is poor. It has become systematic. Not only are rapes occurring, but victims are also being killed, which makes the situation even more serious. Controlling this issue is beyond the capability of any political party; it involves society, the judiciary, and religious groups.”
Kidwai continued, “The solution of fast-track courts and speedy trial is also not justifiable as an innocent person will not have time to save himself. In many cases, higher courts have turned down lower courts’ decisions. The outrage is also selective; several equally heinous rape cases have occurred across the country since the RG Kar incident, including the recent Ujjain rape case, yet there has been little public outcry.”
“The rank and file of TMC are very diverse, with actors, artists, activists, and public intellectuals. Sircar and others should pressure Mamata Banerjee for better action in this regard. Being self-rightist is a choice, but correcting the system within the party is a good fight to do,” the political analyst added.
Reacting to Sircar’s letter, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said that he agrees to a big part of Jawhar Sircar’s letter to Mamata Banerjee regarding his decision to resign as Rajya Sabha member.
“We have heard Jawhar Sircar has taken a decision. He was one of the best bureaucrats in the country, the greatest from West Bengal. It is his personal stand, decision, and letter. I won’t comment on it. He has the right to take a decision,” Ghosh said.
“We also agree with a big part of his letter. But our stand is that under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, we will take visible steps to address the concerns of civil society. We will try to address that by remaining in the party,” he added.
