In the aftermath of the Indian Army’s swift retaliatory strike, ‘Operation Sindoor’, against Pakistan following the tragic Pahalgam massacre, India has witnessed a surge in nationalist sentiment. However, what began as a moment of collective national mourning and pride has swiftly transformed into a political contest.
In West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have plunged into a full-scale battle to control the patriotic narrative, each attempting to outmanoeuvre the other in emotional appeal and mass mobilisation, exposing the fine line between homage and political strategy.
The BJP, eager to capitalise on the emotional wave triggered by the Army’s response, launched its nationwide ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on Tuesday, set to culminate on May 23. Marketed as a tribute to the soldiers martyred in Pahalgam, the campaign has also become a potent political tool for the party.
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In West Bengal, BJP leaders Sukanta Majumdar and Suvendu Adhikari are poised to lead a high-profile rally in Kolkata on May 16, sending a clear message that the party aims to position itself as the sole champion of national pride and military valour.
Not to be overshadowed, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her TMC have rolled out a counter-programme—a statewide ‘nationalist procession’ on May 17 and 18, designed to mirror the BJP’s patriotic optics but with a softer, secular tone.
“This is not about party politics,” Mamata Banerjee declared, describing the initiative as a “social and national responsibility.” However, the timing and scale of the TMC’s response indicate that this is more than just a civic tribute—it is a calculated political counter-move aimed at challenging the BJP’s claim over the nationalist narrative.
Political observers note that the TMC’s strategy is sharply calibrated: while the BJP emphasises aggressive, militant nationalism, the TMC is promoting a version of patriotism rooted in inclusivity—focusing on secularism, social unity, and emotional outreach.
In a circular issued by TMC state president Subrata Bakshi, party units at every level—from wards to districts—have been directed to ensure full participation, with tricolour processions, patriotic songs, cultural events, and slogans honouring the Army. Special directives have been issued to engage the families of martyrs from Bengal wherever possible, amplifying the emotional tone of the events.
However, beneath the displays of unity and reverence lies intense political calculation. With national elections approaching, both parties are vying to shape the national conscience through patriotism, each seeking to occupy the emotional high ground and convert it into electoral advantage.
At the core of this struggle is not merely respect for fallen soldiers but a battle over who defines national pride. The BJP’s version is loud, defiant, and sharply nationalist, while the TMC’s approach is softer, rooted in secular ideals, determined not to allow the saffron party to dominate the symbolic space of patriotism.
West Bengal has thus become the stage for a larger national drama, where the grief of a massacre and the glory of a military strike are being repurposed—not only to unite a nation but also to polarise an electorate.
What once promised to be a moment of shared mourning and celebration has now evolved into a clash of political ideologies wrapped in the flag, revealing how, in Indian politics, even patriotism can become a fiercely contested battleground.
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