Union Minister Smriti Irani criticized the Mamata Banerjee government today for its handling of the situation in Sandeshkhali, South Bengal.
Irani claimed that young Hindu married women are being targeted by members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
This accusation comes amidst allegations of systematic sexual exploitation, with a local Trinamool leader, Zilla Parishad member Sheikh Shajahan, accused of these crimes and currently on the run.
He is also wanted by the Enforcement Directorate for his alleged involvement in a Public Distribution System (PDS) scam.
Sandeshkhali, an island near the Sundarbans close to the Bangladesh border, has been placed under Prohibitory Orders to prevent large gatherings.
According to Irani, Mamata Banerjee’s inaction implies that her party members are free to commit heinous acts against young Hindu married women. Irani expressed disbelief at the situation and questioned whether citizens should remain silent witnesses to these crimes.
In a video unverified by media but widely circulated online, a woman alleged that they are being dragged off to the Trinamool office, kept overnight, and sexually assaulted.
Irani highlighted this disturbing claim, stating that Banerjee’s alleged tolerance of such acts cannot be put into words.
The Trinamool Congress responded sharply to Irani’s accusations. Senior party leader and Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya condemned every rape but questioned Irani’s silence on other cases of sexual assault.
Bhattacharya accused Irani of attempting to provoke unrest and politicize the issue. Bhattacharya questioned why Irani hadn’t spoken out on cases like Bilkis Bano’s and whether rape had color, insinuating that Irani was exacerbating religious tensions. Bhattacharya further accused the BJP and CPM of instigating unrest and claimed that they had been arrested the previous day.
Recent protests in Sandeshkhali have seen women alleging land grabbing and sexual exploitation by Sheikh Shajahan and his associates.
These women demand the arrest of Shajahan, who has been on the run since the Enforcement Directorate’s raid at his residence last month. The raid, aimed at uncovering an alleged ration scam, was met with violence from a mob.
Irani also highlighted an incident where three Enforcement Directorate officials were injured in stone-throwing during their visit to Sandeshkhali.
Earlier today, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and other MLAs from the party were prevented from visiting the area by the police, citing prohibitory orders.
Governor CV Ananda Bose later visited Sandeshkhali and described the situation as “ghastly.”
Mamata Banerjee welcomed his visit and assured that those responsible for the violence “have been arrested.” She emphasized that the situation is being closely monitored and necessary steps are being taken to address it.
