West Bengal is grappling with a concerning level of violence and harassment against women in the state. Over the past week, Sandeshkhali, a village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, has witnessed remarkable protests and political events. The village, which had previously received little attention, gained prominence following reports of an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials by a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader last month.
But is it concerning the TMC?
The question rises when the Chief Minister of West Bengal stands numb over the violence witnessing in her kingdom. The question arises when one of the TMC MP Nusrat Jahan was busy having a valentine photoshoot with her husband, actor Yash Dasgupta.
The BJP ignited a fresh attack on Nusrat accusing her of neglecting the serious issues faced by women in Sandeshkhali.
Dressed in a stylish crimson gown, she participated in a Valentine’s Day-themed photoshoot, which she later shared on her official Instagram account.
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On x, the West Bengal BJP shared the video saying, “Priorities matter: In Sandeshkhali, women are protesting for their respect. Meanwhile, the TMC MP of Basirhat is celebrating Valentine’s Day.”
Priorities matter:
In Sandeshkhali, women are protesting for their respect. Meanwhile, the TMC MP of Basirhat is celebrating Valentine’s Day. #ShameOnMamata #SandeshKhaliHorror pic.twitter.com/bQ4weZFH51
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) February 14, 2024
In response to reports of sexual abuse, the National Commission for Women (NCW) expressed being “deeply disturbed” and called for immediate intervention from the state police.
With the violence hitting awareness in the country, the Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Anju Bala, says “…CM Mamata Banerjee does not want to reveal anything, she does not register FIRs of torture against women…The country will not forgive her. We want President’s rule to be imposed in Sandeshkhali as people are not safe here at all…”
#WATCH | Sandeshkhali violence: Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Anju Bala says “…CM Mamata Banerjee does not want to reveal anything, she does not register FIRs of torture against women…The country will not forgive her. We want President’s rule to be… pic.twitter.com/ayYgkv0upk
— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2024
However, the Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari today (on Thursday) said he will march to Sandeshkhali. “As I have announced on Monday that on February 15, I will head to Sandeshkhali block to meet the locals. The police should not try to stop me.”
Nevertheless, a significant police presence has been deployed in and around the Sandeshkhali area to prevent the entry of BJP and other opposition activists into the region.