The bengal famine was not genocide but an example of utter British incompetence.
Again, sources are much appreciated, and in this context I'd argue needed when so many claims are being thrown around.
Firstly, it should be acknowledged that had the empire been at peace there would not have been a famine in Bengal, or at least it would have been alleviated. Obviously there were displays of British incompetence, not every person is good at their job. But it is grossly unfair to argue this specific famine in such a perfect storm of catastrophe's is a reflection on British rule.
Yes, the 'Denial' policy of scorched earth was a factor in exacerbating the famine, but it did not cause it. Would you have preferred Britain not take every eventuality for a Japanese invasion. Or perhaps you would have preferred occupation by Imperial Japan to that of the Raj?
Yes, in hindsight it was the wrong decision, but at the time a Japanese invasion seemed imminent, and as such I think it is an unfair criticism.
'Bengal was further destabilized from August 1942 by Gandhi's noncooperation movement which tied up the Bengal Civil Service in protracted law and order disputes as political disturbances flared, particularly in Midnapore'. Weigold,
Bengal Famine Revisited.
Does this mean Indian's are also to blame for the famine. Of course not. It was just tragically another of the events that happened to be going on simultaneously that contributed to the exacerbation of the famine.
The only British member of the colonial adminstration who did good work was Archibald wavell.
Assigned by Churchill, with one of his main tasks being to bring the famine under control. This to the point of Churchill telling him 'Every effort must be made, even by the diversion of shipping urgently needed for war purposes, to deal with local shortages'.
Yes Wavell was far more dynamic and competent regarding his handling of the famine than Linlithgow (whose initial policies did undoubtedly help exacerbate the problem), what is this supposed to prove?
7.Churchills cabinet of war forbidded rice imports inspite of appeals by Linlithgow,Amery and auchincleck and wavell
No he didn't. British shipping was stretched to breaking point by the war. Assuming that the shipping if it was available would have been able to navigate Bay of Bengal, infested with Japanese submarines, it would have had to come at the cost of greatly hampering the Allied war effort. Where shipping and supplies could be found (just one example is 150,000 tons of Iraqi barley and Australian wheat Churchill agreed should be sent In August 1943) they were used to relieve the famine.
And,We cant forget Churchill's racist remarks ,can we ?
Ah, the old Mr Tharoor approach of quote mining and ignoring context. The remarks you refer to are mainly paraphrases (sometimes of questionable accuracy) from Amery's diary, where Churchill would often discuss what aid could be sent in the same meetings he made them. But I apologize, I'm forgetting Churchill has to be held to the standard of sainthood, and only his faults remembered.
You are quite right the British could have relieved the famine. They could have used the RAF for example to supply areas by air. The only problem with this is that it would have meant the loss of Bengal to the Japanese. This I think is the crux of the argument. The empire was in a state of total war and overstretched. Had the famine happened in peace time it would have been alleviated. It was just truly a perfect storm that meant it was as bad as it was.
I don't intent to ruin this thread by turning it into a debate on the Bengal Famine so I will make this my last reply on the topic.
Sources:
Andrew Roberts,
Churchill Walking with Destiny
The Bengal Famine continues to engender comment. Historical discussion by calm voices is always welcome, though increasingly scarce.
richardlangworth.com
Far from seeking to starve India, Churchill sought every possible way to alleviate the famine without undermining the war effort.
winstonchurchill.hillsdale.edu
Mark B Tauger,
Entitlement, Shortage and the 1943 Bengal Famine: Another Look
Auriol Weigold,
Bengal Famine Revisted