122.187.117.179 at 16:31, 13 July 2023

2023-07-13T16:31:16Z

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{{Short description|2023 violence in India}}{{Use Indian English}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| partof =
| image =
| date = 8 June 2023 - 13 July 2023
| place = [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
| causes = Violent clashes between workers of political parties across various parts of the state
| methods = [[Arson]], [[Shooting]], [[Rioting]]
| fatalities = 48 <ref name="IT 8 July">
Bengal Panchayat Election 2023 HIGHLIGHTS — SEC Says Will Look Into Poll Violence Complaints, Demands For Repolling, [https://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-panchayat-election-violence-death-toll-repolling-8823262/]
</ref>
| injuries = 400+ <ref name="Zee 8 July">
[https://zeenews.india.com/india/live-updates/west-bengal-panchayat-election-2023-voting-live-updates-2632411 LIVE | Bengal Panchayat Polls: 13 Killed In Massive Poll Violence]
</ref>
| damage =
| howmany1 =
| coordinates = {{Coord|22.9868|87.8550|dim:70000_region:IN-MN_type:event|format=dms|display=it}}
| map_type = India
| map_size = 200
}}

A violent clash erupted between various workers of political parties including [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]], [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]], [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI (M)]] during the poll day of panchayat elections on 8 July 2023 in [[West Bengal]]. Partial violence across the state had started from the announcement of the dates of polling from 8 June resulting in few casualties too. With polling and elections going on, violence against many workers continued over the streets of the state. The state witnessed [[Gunshot|gun shots]], [[assault]]s, [[riot]]ing and [[arson]]s wide across many parts of the state. Moreover, ballot boxes had been destroyed in various parts of the state. The polling process began at 7 am in 73,887 seats in rural areas of the state, where approximately 5.67 crore people were expected to cast their votes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Violence continues in Bengal, several areas to vote again |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/west-bengal-election-commission-orders-repolling-at-697-booths-after-vote-tampering-and-violence-101688925878534.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Background ==
Primarily [[Bhangar Assembly constituency|Bhangar]] in West Bengal saw stones being pelted and [[Bomb|kachcha bombs]] being burst when a sudden violent clash began between workers of [[Indian Secular Front]] and [[Trinamool Congress]]. This further spread across various parts of the state, where polling for panchayats were being carried on, mainly around the rural parts of the state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Bengal Panchayat polls marred by violence, 12 dead; Here's top developments |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/west-bengal-panchayat-elections-marred-by-violence-12-dead-heres-top-developments-11688835874470.html |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref>

== Casualties ==
The clashes reportedly led to more than 15 deaths with allegations of strong-arm tactics, and several numbers injured, admitted in hospitals. The reports said deaths included around 7 [[Trinamool Congress|TMC]] workers, 2 [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] workers, 2 [[Indian Secular Front|ISF]] workers and others involved in riots and clashes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bengal violence death toll rises to 20 as repolling takes place in over 600 booths |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/west-bengal-panchayat-election-violence-death-toll-repolling-8823262/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
The governor of West Bengal [[C. V. Ananda Bose]] reacted stating that "We must kill poverty, but poor are being killed" and expressed disappointment in the state's management of polls. He also called these incidents disturbing and said he would be submitting reports to the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Union Ministry of Home Affairs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bengal Governor flies to Delhi, likely to submit poll violence report to Amit Shah |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/bengal-governor-flies-to-delhi-likely-to-submit-poll-violence-report-to-amit-shah-2404185-2023-07-10 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

The Leader of Opposition [[Suvendu Adhikari|Suvendhu Adhikari]] called it as "Death of Democracy" and demanded for a free and fair poll to be rescheduled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BJP's Suvendu Adhikari puts lock on election office after Bengal poll violence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-panchayat-poll-violence-protest-bjp-suvendu-adhikari-office-lock-sec-2403892-2023-07-09 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Congress Leader [[Digvijaya Singh]] said it to be "frightening" and appealed for peace and strict handling of situation to the state government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congress leader Digvijaya Singh makes big remark on Bengal Panchayat Election Violence |url=https://zeenews.india.com/video/news/congress-leader-digvijaya-singh-makes-big-remark-on-bengal-panchayat-election-violence-2633298.html |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[2021 West Bengal post-poll violence]]
*[[2022 Birbhum violence]]
*[[Ram Navami riots]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Political history of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]
[[Category:2023 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:July 2023 events in India]]

2023 West Bengal panchayat poll violence - Revision history

122.187.117.179 at 16:31, 13 July 2023