Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance

The July 21, 1993, Kolkata police firing remains a pivotal event in West Bengal’s political history, where 13 Youth Congress supporters were killed during a protest led by Mamata Banerjee, then a Youth Congress leader. The Justice Susanta Chatterjee Commission of Inquiry, set up in 2011 by the Mamata Banerjee-led government, submitted its report in 2014 but was kept under wraps until the BJP-led government in West Bengal made it public in July 2026. The report reveals that the police firing was unnecessary, as the crowd was far from the Writers’ Buildings, and the perceived threat of an attack was imaginary. It also highlights that Mamata Banerjee, who claimed to be a key witness, was never asked to record her statement, raising questions about the Commission’s impartiality. The report further criticizes the Left Front government’s handling of the situation and suggests that the compensation offered to the victims’ families was grossly inadequate during the Trinamool Congress regime.

For aspirants preparing for Banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B exams, this case study underscores the importance of constitutional bodies like Commissions of Inquiry in addressing historical injustices and ensuring accountability. It also highlights the role of political narratives in shaping public perception and the need for transparency in governance. Questions on such topics may appear in exams under Polity & Governance sections, testing candidates’ understanding of judicial processes, political accountability, and the impact of historical events on contemporary politics. The case also serves as a reminder of how historical events are often weaponized for political gains, a theme relevant for essay writing and interview discussions in competitive exams.

Source: The Hindu

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