Sandeshkhali Violence: BJP Delegation Stages Dharna After Cops Block Way To Strife-Torn Area

Amid the uproar over the violence in Bengal's Sandeshkhali, the BJP delegation was stopped by the police on its way to the violence-hit area.

Amid the uproar over the violence in Bengal's Sandeshkhali, the BJP delegation was stopped by the police on its way to the violence-hit area.

Source : X/ANI

Sandeshkhali Violence: The six-member delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party constituted by JP Nadda was stopped on Friday by the police on its way to violence-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengal. After the saffron party's fact-finding team was stopped at Rampur, an argument broke between the delegation and the police. Following this, the delegation began a sit-in protest.

WATCH | संदेशखाली पर सियासी संग्राम तेज, BJP की कमेटी को रास्ते में रोका गया@viveksemiliye | https://t.co/smwhXUROiK#Sandeshkhali #WestBengal #BJP #TMC #MamataBanerjee pic.twitter.com/yryGfJquXv

— ABP News (@ABPNews) February 16, 2024

Earlier in the day, the BJP delegation started for Sandeshkhali to meet the victims of alleged attrocities committed by Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan. Sandeshkhali has been witnessing protests over alleged atrocities on locals by ruling TMC leaders.

Out of the six members in the BJP delegation, five are women. Union Minister and member of the delegation Annapurna Devi, who is one of the visiting members, said that CM Mamata Banerjee is "murdering democracy" in the state, and the police are shielding "TMC goons" responsible for the violence.

"Today, a 6-member BJP team formed by JP Nadda is going to Sandeshkhali. The incident that took place in Sandeshkhali is condemnable. The name of the chief minister is 'Mamata' but her party's goon Shahjahan Sheikh is committing atrocities against women... Fake cases are registered against several BJP workers for taking up this issue. CM Mamata Banerjee is murdering democracy in the state. Police are giving protection to TMC goons who are responsible for this incident," Annapurna Devi said. 

#WATCH | Union Minister and member of the delegation Annapurna Devi says "Today, a 6-member team of BJP formed by JP Nadda is going to Sandeshkhali. The incident that took place in Sandeshkhali is condemnable. The name of the chief minister is 'Mamata' but her party's goons… pic.twitter.com/tORZ4YJeUX

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2024

Reacting to the violence in Sandeshkhali, CM Mamata on Thursday said that the BJP's ideological parent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was responsible for the violence. Addressing the West Bengal Assembly, she said: "This [violence] is not new. There is a branch of RSS in Sandeshkhali. Bringing outsiders is causing unrest. We are taking action; the police are going door to door to provide assistance."

West Bengal Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, along with BJP MLAs, were stopped on the way to Sandeshkhali, near Science City. Adhikari and other party leaders held a protest against the suspension of BJP leaders from the Assembly in Kolkata.

BJP MP Kavita Patidar, who is also a member of the delegation, said that on one side, the Centre is working for women empowerment, and on the other side, there are incidents of violence taking place against women in West Bengal. 

"We will visit the victims and their family members to get more details about the incident. On one side, the Centre is working for women's empowerment, and on the other side, there are incidents of violence taking place against women in West Bengal. This is highly condemnable," Patidar said.

#WATCH | BJP MP and member of the delegation visiting Sandeshkhali, Kavita Patidar says "...We will visit the victims and her family members to get more details about the incident. On one side, the Centre is working for women empowerment and on the other side there are incidents… pic.twitter.com/Tw6IbHcsxb

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2024

Union Minister and member of the delegationi, Pratima Bhaowmick said "...Hundreds of Sheikh Shahjahan are being nurtured by Mamata Banerjee. Yesterday in the Assembly, she was safeguarding him. It is our democratic right to visit Sandeshkhali."

#WATCH | Union Minister and member of the delegation visiting Sandeshkhali, Pratima Bhaowmick says "...Hundreds of Sheikh Shahjahan are being nurtured by Mamata Banerjee. Yesterday in the Assembly, she was safeguarding him. It is our democratic right to visit Sandeshkhali..." pic.twitter.com/ypsuIPQmir

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2024