Nilima Dey Sarkar, a 48-year-old BJP woman worker from Bengal, was attacked brutally by TMC workers, on September 26, the day BJP had called a 12-hour strike in retaliation for the death of two people in the clashes of Islampur. Five days after the incident, she has moved to the court to lodge a complaint. Nilima is now undergoing treatment at the Neel Ratan Sarkar hospital. 

“Police were present when they attacked my wife. She was beaten by sticks. She received severe injury on her leg, hands and even on the head. She was attacked twice. No one came to rescue her. We knew the police would not take the complaint, so we moved court,” says her husband, Prasad Chandra Dey Sarkar, as reported by the Indian Express.

The incident

Earlier, on September 26, BJP workers had gathered at a railway crossing in Taki road, around 25 km away from Kolkata, to carry out the “rail roko” protest. TMC supporters interrupted the rally, attacking the BJP leader and the followers. Nilima was assaulted brutally by men armed with wooden sticks.

The incident gained attention after a video recording of the same went viral on social media. Sources confirmed that Nilima was attacked twice, first during the protest and also later when she was narrating her ordeal to a television channel.

Incidentally,  the viral video of the incident showed police personnel present on the scene at the time of the attack.

Expressing his fear and agony, Prasad explained how the TMC workers rushed and attacked his wife and another BJP leader Prasenjit Bhattacharya, abruptly with sticks. He alleged that this incident occurred in the presence of policemen, who just witnessed the brutal attack, without trying to protect them. The couple had decided to file the complaint in the court after they found the police reluctant to take their charge.

Aftermath of the attack

BJP sources confirmed that Nilima was an active party member in Barasat, who joined the party recently before the Panchayat elections. The party has already approached senior leaders and has decided to file a complaint in the Women Commission. Pradip Banerjee, the district president of BJP, remarked that he doesn’t expect any action from the police but still has submitted a written complaint to the SP.

The State BJP president Dilip Ghosh stated that women workers from BJP were assaulted even during nomination for panchayat elections. He added that women were beaten and tortured by goons, but still there is no action by the police. He alleged that the present government in Bengal has no control over law and order in the state.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his displeasure over the incident and claimed that these events happen frequently in West Bengal.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has grabbed suo moto notice of the incident video. NCW has written a letter to the Bengal DGP stating its high displeasure over the incident and has requested to take action against the attackers and the policemen who witnessed the incident without protecting the victim.

Protest without permission

Speaking to The Indian Express, a local police official commented that the BJP supporters were staging the protest without permission. He explained how the rally blocked the railway tracks and led to an argument with the locals and eventually to a physical fight. He added that law would follow its own course if a complaint is submitted in this regard. However, he refused to comment on the policemen’s inaction when a woman was being attacked. The official also told that he wasn’t aware of any video.  

Bengal bandh

BJP had called a 12-hour bandh on September 26 in West Bengal to protest against the death of two students in police firing at Islampur, following a clash regarding the appointment of Urdu teachers on September 20.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced salary deduction for the government employees if they fail to turn up on the day of the bandh. She took various other measures including giving the order for immediate arrest in case of violence during the bandh.

Dilip Ghosh decided to call off the bandh two hours early as they declared the bandh to be successful.

The Logical Indian take

TMC and BJP clashes are not new anymore to the people in West Bengal.  Vandalism by protesters has become a regular event and have always affected the life of the civilians. In the recent past, a considerable number of people have been killed in the political clashes. As reported by the Economic Times, 12 were killed in May alone this year during the Panchayat polls. Physical attack towards a woman is a condemnable incident in a state ruled by a woman. It only corroborates to the unsafe environment for all women in the country. The police officials present on the scene should have taken action to restrain the attackers and protect the victim.

Also Read: WB: 3-Yr-Old Shot In The Head As BJP & TMC Clash Over Panchayat Board Formation