A 31-year-old Bengal woman Kabita Das who had been protesting against booth capturing in the recent West Bengal Panchayat elections was allegedly forced to walk around wearing a garland of shoes in West Midnapore by Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists.
Kabita Das is the wife of former TMC member Gopal Das of the Kankabati Gram Panchayat. She protested against the party on May 14.
Das summoned to the party office on Friday, May 18, when angry TMC activists forced her to wear a garland of shoes and walk around the village. Hindustan Times reported that party activists assaulted her and forced her to do sit-ups while holding her ears.
As reported by The Telegraph, Asish Patra, TMC booth president was present at the spot along with 25 others when Das was humiliated. However, Patra rejected the allegations claiming that no such incident had occurred.
Ajit Maity, president of West Midnapore district Trinamool Congress committee, told Hindustan Times, “I have asked the local leadership to give me a detailed report. We are looking into the matter and we will not spare the offenders.”
Despite the district party leaders’ stance of taking stringent action against those who were found guilty, the culprits remained unapologetic for their actions and further threatened to punish those who acted against the party.
Trinamool’s tally in the 16-member Gram Panchayat was brought down from 16 in 2013 to 11 in 2018 as the BJP bagged four seats along with a Left-backed independent candidate, Sikha Paria in Bagdubi.
Kabita Das told Hindustan Times that she had only asked them to fight elections democratically on the election day and that her actions were mistaken. Both Kabita and Gopal Das are apprehensive of continuing with the party after the incident, reported The Telegraph.
Arup Das, a BJP leader in Midnapore said, “During nomination, the state had seen that the women were not spared by the Trinamool Congress activists and in many places the women were beaten up. But what had happened at Bagdubi had crossed all limits. The administration should take strong steps against those who had humiliated her.”
Meanwhile, BJP leaders and outraged masses across the country took to Twitter to voice their criticisms against Trinamool Congress.
