Kolkata government replaces old train cars with new saffron-coloured ones.

Kolkata’s Damnatio memoriae moment The city of Kolkata is witnessing a transformation like no other. The month-old BJP government in West Bengal has embarked on a mission to change the city’s colour-scape from the traditional white-and-blue to saffron. This drastic shift is being facilitated by the removal of symbols and statues that were dear to the previous Trinamool Congress government..

At the heart of this exercise is the desire to erase the memories of the past and pave the way for a new beginning. As the bulldozers roll in, the white-and-blue colour scheme that defined Kolkata’s architecture is slowly giving way to a saffron hue. The BJP government’s agenda of removing the symbols of the previous regime has sparked both excitement and dismay among citizens..

While some see this as a much-needed exercise in erasing the ghosts of the past, others believe it to be an attempt to rewrite history. The city is abuzz with debate and discussion, with opinions sharply divided. The Trinamool Congress government had left behind a legacy of grand infrastructure projects, many of which have been hastily dismantled or repurposed by the new government..

The iconic white-and-blue metro train cars, for instance, are being replaced with saffron-coloured ones. The city’s skyline is also undergoing a transformation, with the removal of the Trinamool Congress symbol, the dhak, from government buildings and monuments. The BJP government’s drive to erase the past has also sparked controversy over the removal of statues of Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress leader who was the chief minister of West Bengal from 2011 to 2021..

A statue of Banerjee at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation building has been pulled down, and there are fears that more such statues may follow suit. The move has drawn strong reactions from Banerjee’s supporters, who see it as an attempt to besmirch her legacy. The saffron-coloured makeover of Kolkata is also raising questions about the role of government ideology in shaping the city’s identity..

Critics argue that the BJP’s efforts to impose its own brand of Hindutva on the city are a thinly veiled attempt to erase the cultural diversity that Kolkata is known for. The city’s residents, on the other hand, are divided, with some welcoming the change and others decrying it as an attack on their traditions. As the city’s colour-scape undergoes this radical transformation, the BJP government is keen to showcase its vision for a new Kolkata..

The government has promised to unveil a series of grand infrastructure projects, including a revamped Howrah Bridge and a new flyover at the city’s busy Park Circus intersection. These projects are expected to give the city a facelift and make it more tourist-friendly. However, the saffron makeover has also raised concerns about the city’s cultural heritage..

Many landmarks and monuments that hold significant historical and cultural importance are being hastily repurposed or removed. The BJP government’s haste to erase the past has led to fears that the city’s rich cultural diversity may be lost forever. The controversy surrounding the saffron makeover has also led to a wider debate about the role of government in shaping the city’s identity..

Should governments interfere in matters of aesthetic preference or cultural identity? Or should they allow the city’s residents to determine their own preferences? These are questions that are still being debated by scholars, intellectuals, and citizens alike..

The BJP government’s efforts to change the city’s colour-scape have also been criticized by opponents who see it as an attempt to impose its own brand of Hindutva on the city. Critics argue that the BJP’s vision for a saffron Kolkata is fundamentally incompatible with the city’s cultural and historical identity. The debate has reached a fever pitch, with the city’s residents and residents’ associations weighing in on the issue..

As the city continues to undergo this radical transformation, the impact on local businesses and citizens is becoming increasingly apparent. Many small traders and shopkeepers who have made a living off the white-and-blue aesthetic are struggling to adapt to the new saffron-hued cityscape. There are fears that the changed colour-scape may impact the local economy and affect the livelihoods of city residents..

In an effort to mitigate these concerns, the BJP government has promised to support local businesses and provide financial assistance to traders who are struggling to adapt to the new aesthetic. However, many feel that these promises are empty and that the government is simply trying to deflect criticism. The city’s residents are also divided on the issue, with some welcoming the change and others decrying it as an attack on their traditions..

As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how this new chapter in Kolkata’s history will unfold. One thing is certain, however, the city will never be the same again. As the city’s colour-scape continues to undergo this radical transformation, one thing is clear: the government’s vision for a saffron Kolkata has set off a chain of reactions that will be felt for years to come..

The city’s residents and its culture will be shaped by this new aesthetic, and the outcome will be one for the historians to write about in the years to come..