Kinkar Malik is not a political activist, nor is he an Election Commission official but what he did this poll season has won him the appreciation of political parties and administrative officials in East Burdwan district.
The 40-year-old street vendor goes around Burdwan town with his collection of snacks and lozenges on his two-wheeler, which doubles as a mobile kiosk. Malik purchased the second-hand two-wheeler recently and while selling his products he had an appeal on his lips that stood out — he urged people not to instigate violence during the elections.
“Many people die in election-related violence in our state. Five poor villagers were killed in violence during the fourth phase of elections. I am scared how many more lives will be lost in the remaining phases. I urge people not to indulge in violence and rather enjoy our fundamental right to elect our representative,” Malik, who did not study after clearing the Madhyamik exam, told this correspondent last week while handing over a cake to a customer.
Malik said that as a law-abiding citizen, he felt it was his moral duty to appeal to the people as well as activists of all political parties to ensure free and peaceful polls.
“What is the need for violence during elections? People have the right to choose their own government peacefully and they should do it that way. People are scared of losing their dear ones in poll violence. This doesn’t happen in other states. This should be stopped,” he said.
Malik had fitted a public address system to his motorbike and his recorded appeal for peaceful polls — “vote-ta ke utsaber moton palan karun (celebrate voting like a festival)”— reached out to people in the Burdwan South constituency that voted this Saturday.
Malik leaves home in Jamalpur, around 38km from Burdwan town, early in the morning on his two-wheeler with biscuits, chocolates, lozenges and cakes stacked in a basket placed behind him.
“My business has been hit because schools are closed in view of the pandemic. Most of my customers are schoolchildren and I have been missing them for over a year,” he said. Malik’s plea has not gone unheard.
Burdwan town Trinamul spokesperson Prosenjit Das said he had heard Malik’s appeal and thanked him on behalf of his party.
“We want peaceful elections and our leader Mamata Banerjee has ensured it after coming to power in the state. Coming from an apolitical person, Malik’s appeal is encouraging. We are thankful to him,” Das said.
BJP leader Kallol Nandan said violence had become a tradition in Bengal and Malik’s effort showed that people were worried and wanted an end to it. “People do not want violence or deaths because of elections. He is the voice of the people and the ruling party now must react to the appeal,” Nandan said.
CPM leader Apurbo Chatterjee condemned incidents of electoral violence. “I have seen Malik going around town with his appeal. We want an end to poll violence and have met Election Commission special observer Ajay Nayek with the same appeal.”
District information and cultural officer of East Burdwan Kushal Chakraborty said there could be nothing more positive than a common man coming forward with an appeal for peaceful polls.
“We have launched various campaigns to ensure peaceful elections. Kinkar Malik’s voluntary effort had a positive impact on people,” he said.