India, April 9 -- More than 100 years ago, political leader and social reformer Gopal Krishna Gokhale had said: "What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow." It must have rung true for the "Aamaar shonaar Bangla" of that time and age; sadly, that is no longer the case. The post-Independence Bengal is known more because of its trade unionism, impromptu strikes and election violence, at least since the 1960s. The ongoing Assembly elections in the State are no exception. Of the crucial eight-phase election, the three phases that have already been completed have had their share of bloody arson, mob violence, exploding crude bombs, threats to rival politicians and their followers and brandishing of lathis and iron rods. Quite unlike other...