'Sharia Court, Bulldozer Justice': BJP, CPI(M) Slam TMC Over Viral Video Of Local Leader Flogging Couple

Opposition parties BJP and CPI(M) have criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for a video of TMC MLA Hamidur Rahaman's aide allegedly showing a man brutally beating a woman and a man.

The West Bengal Police has launched an investigation following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a couple being brutally assaulted in Uttar Dinajpur district. The incident, reportedly overseen by a local TMC leader after a 'salishi sabha' (Kangaroo court) decision, has sparked widespread condemnation and political backlash.

According to news agency PTI, the video, which surfaced on social media, depicts a man identified as a TMC leader from Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur, mercilessly beating the couple with a bamboo stick. Islampur Police Superintendent Joby Thomas K confirmed the registration of a case, stating, "We have initiated raids to arrest the culprit and will investigate the reason behind the act promptly."

The purported video shows the TMC leader hitting a woman with sticks while a small crowd watches it happen. The victim is seen screaming in pain, but there's no help. The assailant starts hitting a man as members of the crowd appear to be helping him. Then the TMC member is also seen grabbing the woman by her hair and kicking her.

The opposition parties, BJP and CPI(M), swiftly criticised the TMC, attributing the incident to what they termed as 'bulldozer justice' under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's administration. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya condemned the incident, alleging, "This is the ugly face of Mamata Banerjee’s rule in West Bengal," and accusing the TMC leader of administering "quick justice" through local 'insaf' sabhas.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted the video on social media platform X claiming that the incident took place in Laxmikantapur in North Dinajpur and identified the assailant as Tajemul, an associate of Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahaman.

"The guy in the video, who is beating up a woman mercilessly, is Tajemul. He is famous for giving quick justice through his 'insaf' sabha and is a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidur Rahaman," Malviya stated on X.

"India must wake up to the reality of Sharia Courts in TMC-run West Bengal. There is a #Sandeshkhali in every village and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a curse for women. There is no semblance of law and order in Bengal. Will Mamata Banerjee act against this monster or defend him like she stood up for Sheikh Shahjahan?" Malviya also tagged the National Commission for Women in his post.

This Sheikh Shahjahan reference points to the Sandeshkhali case wherein the suspended TMC leader and his aides face allegations of sexual harassment, land grab, and extortion, further leading to counterclaims by the Mamata Banerjee-led party alleging false complaints, accusing the BJP of orchestrating issues.

CPI(M)'s Mohammed Salim Slams 'Suvendu Model' In Bengal, TMC MLA Distances Himself From Accused

The video has also drawn reactions from other political quarters. CPI(M) state secretary and former MP Mohammed Salim shared the video, condemning the act as "summary trial and punishment" by a TMC "goon, nicknamed JCB", in Chopra.

"Not even #KangarooCourt! Summary trial and punishment handed out by the @AITCofficial goon nicknamed JCB. Literally bulldozer justice at Chopra under @MamataOfficial rule," Salim posted on X. He also alleged that the person who filmed the video has been ousted from his home and linked Tajemul to a murder case involving a local Left leader.

Salim further criticised both the TMC and BJP, suggesting a continuity of what he termed the "Suvendu model" in Bengal, where "murderers remain at large, travesty of justice continues."

In response to the allegations, TMC MLA Hamidur Rahman distanced himself from the accused, describing the incident as a village matter unrelated to the party. According to PTI, TMC district president Kaniyalal Agarwal contended that the couple's alleged illicit relationship did not go down well with the villagers as the cause behind the incident. He also stated that the party would investigate the episode.

TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen condemned the incident while acknowledging the prevalence of such extrajudicial actions during the Left Front regime too.