Random Thought (awating further elaboration)

The phenomenon of overbearing presence of "intellectuals" (sic) in political space is a curious facet of Bengali politics. Probably other than the French, no ethnic group is so much enamored with this epithet- “intellectual”. I presume this to be an inheritance of our nineteenth century history. Economic or finance capital have always eluded Bengali elite class. In lieu of the classic class or caste dominance, the class positions in the Bengali society have mostly been determined by what Pierre Bourdieu called the “cultural capital”. More “cultural capital” you possess, more dominant you are in Bengali class hierarchy. Interestingly, though these intellectuals have their “voice” because of their “cultural capital”, there is an ever-widening gulf between “cultural choices” of them and “cultural choices” of the people. This is a paradox of a decaying society stuck in a groove. I came across an illuminating TMC graffiti yesterday- “শহীদ স্মরণে আপন মরণে রক্তঋণ শোধ করো.” (Pay off your blood debt sacrificing your life in the memory of the martyrs)- an ubiquituous CPI(M) slogan. That’s what is called “stuck in a groove”- intellectuals or no intellectuals, CPI(M) or no CPI(M).